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Energy efficiency and comfort always go hand in hand with properly functioning heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system (HVAC) systems. This blog from AEMACO will guide you through 10 tips that help improve your commercial HVAC system’s functionality. Improvements in maintenance practices and smart addition of technology can lead to comfy environments at lower costs and increased durability of equipment.
1. Schedule Regular Preventive Maintenance
Routine maintenance prevents commercial HVAC system components from becoming obsolete and enables access to peak functionality. Seasonal visits should be made to prevent repairs that are costly. Coils, controls, electrical components and refrigerants should be checked by a proficient technician.
Cleaning
Optimal operation is achieved when all parts undergo cleaning and improvement. Energy usage is also minimized with optimal functioning. Maintenance greatly reduces chances of failures, increases lifespan of devices, and prevents the need for replacement of HVAC units. A set schedule for comprehensive maintenance greatly eases commercial upkeep routines.
Warm
Primary and secondary maintenance visits are suggested for workplaces with high numbers of visitors during the warm seasons. Taking action to improve is always better than becoming complacent. Strive for warranty validity while servicing the equipment to avoid unnecessary delays and long-term issues within system functionality.
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2. Change Air Filters Frequently
Cleaning air filters improves the flow of air used within the unit and reduces the risk of the system working harder. As a result, energy is conserved, and damage to the unit is lessened. The filters should be cleaned after every month and replaced every month too.
Weather
For some, it can take a bit longer due to the local weather conditions and can take around 1 to 3 months. Some commercial places can take a bit longer and require recurrent replacements due to the high traffic around them like construction zones. For such busy areas, replacement can be done regularly.
Tools
Replacement filters give the users of the facilities warm unobstructed air. t’s a valuable unit that many take for granted, often overlooking the tools and aids available to use effectively. These units can be interesting applicable devices that simplify matters and perform HVAC operational tuning.
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3. Optimize Thermostat Settings
Using smart thermostats and managing them properly improves HVAC system efficiency remarkably. With programmable thermostats, temperature schedules can be set according to business hours, reducing unnecessary heating or cooling during non-operating hours.
Patterns
Learning thermometers can identify usage patterns and adjust settings automatically for further energy savings. Make sure settings are within operational bounds such as higher temperatures during summer and lower during winter when the building is unoccupied. Frequent manual adjustments should be avoided as they can further undermine system efficiency.
Comfort
The addition of smart control lowers the burden put on the system, maintaining reliable performance and comfort. Active system control also aids in optimizing thermostat position for efficiency away from vents, direct sunlight, or equipment. Placing devices more strategically and evenly can also ease the load on the system.
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4. Seal Ductwork and Insulate Properly
Did you know that up to 30% of energy loss can result from poorly maintained ductwork systems? There is nowhere for conditioned air to go aside from where it was intended to, therefore, properly sealed ducts guarantee that no air is escaping to unused areas.
Sealant
For long lasting results, use mastic sealant or metal tape instead of duct tape. Also, it is important to insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces to reduce heat loss. This helps keep temperatures relatively stable, saves energy, and decreases strain on a building’s HVAC system.
Insulation
The commercial HVAC system will run more efficiently if there is insulated refrigerant line and unit insulation. An energy audit or duct leakage test can be performed professionally to determine the effectiveness of the system.
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5. Clean Coils and Condensers Regularly
Coils serve as a major component for the exchanging the energy in commercial HVAC systems. If coils aren’t cleaned regularly, the system struggles to release or absorb heat, which can decrease energy efficiency. Commercial places have it worse. Those that deal with grease, dust and have outdoor access need more frequent attend cleaning, twice a year if possible.
Trash
Also check outside for any leaves, out overgrown grass or abandoned trash. Coil cleaning increases system efficiency while also giving it a longer lifespan. This task is easy and beneficial in maintaining balance, comfort, and system operating expenditures.
6. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Equipment
Older models of commercial HVAC systems are frequently in need of repair and maintenance, alongside being big energy users. Operating costs can be lowered by switching to high-efficiency models that are ENERGY STAR certified.
Systems
The latest models have improved refrigerants, better controllers, advanced motors that have variable speeds, and advanced control systems. Although it comes at a higher price initially, the system often pays for itself over time in savings on repairs and energy bills.
Automation
For further control, combine the equipment with building automation systems. When choosing equipment make sure to look out for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) or EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. The long-term comfort coupled with the savings makes these upgrades worthwhile.
Learn how Smart Building Automation can improve energy efficiency through AI and IoT technologies.
7. Use Zoning Systems for Better Control
Zoning splits a commercial space into separate areas and each area can have its own temperature control settings. This is helpful in multi-floor buildings with different usage patterns such as retail, office spaces, or server rooms. Through zoning, only the occupied spaces are cooled or heated thereby reducing energy wastage.
Preferences
Across the building, different temperature preferences which might contribute to improved comfort are also addressed. Zoning works through the use of dampers in ductwork which are operated by individual thermostats.
Failure
When combined with smart controls, systems are able to achieve precise, efficient HVAC operation. Through zoning, the energy bill is reduced, strain on the system is minimized which reduces the likelihood of system failure and improves system longevity.
8. Monitor and Adjust Ventilation
In terms of commercial HVAC performance, ventilation is one of the most underrated aspects. Insufficient ventilation can lead to stuffiness, poor temperature distribution, and lower the quality of air indoors. Check that fresh air intake systems and exhaust fans are working properly.
Ventilators
Fresh air can be introduced without compromising efficiency through energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). For monitoring air quality, CO2 sensors can be used, particularly in confined or crowded areas.
Health
Optimal conditions can be achieved without excessive energy consumption by adequately balancing the ventilation with the heating and cooling requirements. Well-maintained ventilation systems also contribute to the health of a workplace, which is particularly important in a post-pandemic world.
9. Implement Smart Building Automation
As noted earlier, building automation systems (BAS) consolidate control of HVAC, lighting, and other subsystem activities. Such systems allow facility managers to gauge performance, identify problems, and adjust for efficiency in a data-driven manner.
Diagnostics
More sophisticated BAS platforms come with diagnostics and AI-based real-time remote management options. You can automatically adjust settings based on the number of people in the building, outdoor temperatures, or busy times. With smart automation, investing in building management becomes easier because manual errors are reduced, and systems are maintained to operate at peak performance.
Smart
Smart control solutions can benefit even small businesses, paving the way for improved comfort, energy efficiency, strategic maintenance, and smarter HVAC management.
10. Conduct an Energy Audit
An energy audit entails a detailed evaluation of a building’s energy consumption, and more particularly, the energy performance and efficiency of the HVAC the building has. Checkers evaluate the degree of insulation, ductworks, appliances’ levels of efficiency, and controls to extract inefficiencies for improvement.
Intelligence
This audit will provide actionable intelligence aimed toward consumption reduction, cost cutoffs, and boosting comfort. However, audits assist in compliance strategies along with sustainability-driven reporting as well.
Recommendations
Engaging the services of a certified professional guarantees dependable diagnostics and appropriate tailored recommendations. This is the first step towards smarter sustainable buildings – optimize HVAC performance through smart measuring controlling using data.
Read our blog 15 Reasons to Conduct an HVAC Energy Audit to uncover inefficiencies and optimize system performance.
How We Can Help
AEMACO specializes in custom energy management solutions, especially optimizing HVAC units for commercial buildings. Our services range from energy audits to sophisticated system modifications, all aimed at helping our clients cut costs, increase comfort, and improve environmental sustainability. Contact us today and let’s start optimizing your energy management!