Fall and Winter Care for Commercial Rooftop Units

All commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems need care in the cooler months to keep them running efficiently.

Professional maintenance improves your bottom line, as efficient HVAC systems cost less to operate all the way around. But it’s especially important for commercial rooftop systems to receive fall and winter care since they’re exposed to the great outdoors in Ashland, where Mother Nature can throw curveballs their way.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other trusted sources, maintenance decreases energy bills by 15 to 20 percent in commercial buildings. Plus, you guard against costly repairs while promoting comfort and safety inside your building.

Before the change of seasons hits full swing here in Virginia, schedule your professional maintenance appointment with Howell’s Heating & Air to keep your rooftop unit performing at its optimum capacity.

Commercial Rooftop HVAC Maintenance in Ashland, VA

Although some businesses tend to forget about their rooftop units, these units require regular maintenance because of exposure to the elements. Parts crack, get dirty, dry out.

With regular checkups, our trained commercial HVAC professionals can spot a component that’s changed for the worse since its last appointment and address it.

Having your commercial expert keep a service log for your rooftop unit is highly beneficial. The log can note history, troubleshooting, and scheduled maintenance.

Advantages of Rooftop HVAC Maintenance

Here are some basic checkpoints during any fall and winter upkeep of your Ashland rooftop unit:

• Change the Filters: Virginia rooftop units are especially susceptible to dirt and debris clogging the airflow in an HVAC system due to their outdoor locale. Rooftop unit filters need to be changed a minimum of four times a year to keep your system running efficiently.

• Calibrate the Thermostats: Be sure all your thermostats are in agreement with temperature settings. Having some thermostats with large discrepancies from others can result in inefficient systems, costing you money. Another possible consequence is having both the heating and cooling systems running simultaneously.

• Check and Clean General System Components: Check compressors. Check and clean evaporator and condenser coils, fans and belts, fan motor bearings, outdoor air inlet screens, main burners, flue gas passageways, and the combustion air blower.
  
  Lubricate all moving parts, and make it a point to replace any worn or damaged belts and fans. Check the economizer (if present) to be sure it’s working correctly, along with the ventilation settings.

• Inspect for General Sturdiness: Ensure all panels are secure, door hinges and ductwork connections are tight, and all seams are sealed. Replace any missing screws or bolts, and tighten those that are there.

• Winterize Cooling Systems: Take steps to prepare the cooling system for colder temperatures. This might include shutting down your chiller or draining your cooling tower. Also, drain and protect the condensate pan to avoid it freezing up while not in use. 

• Keep Tools Handy for Seasonal Issues: Your Howell’s Heating & Air commercial expert will come prepared with the right tools necessary for the tasks at hand.

• Take a Monthly Walk-Around: To help keep your rooftop unit in good order, make it a practice to regularly take a look at it. Keep an eye out for loose panels or bolts. Check for debris, leaves, or paper that could be interfering with your unit’s airflow or even lying nearby; one good wind could carry them straight to your unit instead of off the roof.

• Prepare for the Snow: Once the colder temperatures arrive in Ashland and snow is a regular occurrence, this is when your ladder and shovels will come in handy. Having your units encased in a snowdrift negatively affects airflow, thus decreasing your system’s efficiency, maybe even stopping it altogether.
  
  If and when you find yourself shoveling the snow from the unit’s vicinity, take special care to not hit the unit with your shovel. Even the slightest hit or ding to a coil’s fins can have big consequences.

Call Today for Quality Commercial Rooftop HVAC Maintenance

Regularly scheduled fall and winter preventative maintenance on your Ashland, VA, commercial rooftop units is good business. Call our trained Howell’s Heating & Air professionals at 804-977-0994 or request service online to schedule your maintenance appointment.