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Investing in a preventative maintenance program for your commercial heating and cooling systems is one of the best ways to keep your running and repair costs to a minimum. All HVAC solutions, regardless of their quality or initial price tag, require routine upkeep; you can’t just install a new system and expect it to remain functional and economical for the next 15 years.

Some people wrongly assume they can save money by neglecting maintenance believing their system is impervious to damage, but that’s never the case. The bottom line is – if you don’t take care of your HVAC unit, inefficiencies and costly failures will eat into your hard-earned cash. In most cases, if you neglect upkeep for years, defects will reduce the lifespan of your system, forcing you to pay for a replacement prematurely and unnecessarily.

commercial heating and coolingThe most straightforward way to keep your HVAC solution in optimal condition is to sign up to a professional preventative maintenance program. Qualified engineers know how to service your HVAC system without causing damage. Moreover, because they can ensure your system remains efficient, they can help you save on your energy bills.

We often find that people forget about HVAC maintenance because, after all, it’s just a unit that sits out of sight on your roof. Who cares if it gets dirty? Unfortunately, if dirt and grime make its way into and settle in your solution, problems will arise, and they’ll likely cost a lot to rectify.

One of the most common mistakes people make regarding commercial HVAC maintenance is forgetting to clean the coils. However, neglecting the cleanliness of your system’s coils can lead to severe repercussions for the health of your unit and energy costs.

In this article, we’ll briefly discuss what your coils are and why they’re crucial components of your commercial HVAC units. We’ll also look at the risks associated with leaving them to gather dust and dirt before explaining what’s required to keep them clean. You’ll likely soon realize why professional preventative maintenance programs are a high-value – if not necessary – investment.

Understanding the Purpose of the Coils for Commercial Heating and Cooling

Your HVAC unit contains two coils: an evaporator coil and a condenser coil. The evaporator coil removes heat from the air before cooling it and dispersing it throughout your building.

First, your HVAC system’s compressor pulls a refrigerant through the evaporator coil. When warm air goes through the coil, the refrigerant absorbs heat and cools it rapidly, reducing the air temperature before transferring it into your indoor space.

The condenser coils complete the process. Primarily, they release the absorbed heat outdoors. Because condenser coils come into direct contact with outdoor air, they face exposure to the elements and can quickly become clogged full of dirt, grime and debris, which can prevent all the coils in your unit from doing their job, making your HVAC unit less efficient at best and leading to system failure at worst.

Dust Mites in your HVAC Ducts

How to Clean Your Coils: The Basics

Maintaining evaporator and condenser coils in commercial units is far from straightforward and usually requires a professional’s touch. Some people attempt to clean their coils DIY-style using a pressure washer, but such machines can easily damage the delicate fins in the beds of your coils. Additionally, a pressure washer may end up just pushing dirt, grime and dust deeper into your system, causing damage in the process. It’s not to say that a pressure washer can’t be used to aid in the cleaning of your coils – it just means you need to know what you’re doing.

You can use water and mild detergents to clean your coils monthly to prevent a build-up of grime from becoming a severe issue (this doesn’t eliminate the need to call a professional for annual preventative maintenance). Follow these steps:

  • Turn your AC unit off using your thermostat
  • Remove any fasteners to loosen the access panel
  • Mix a mild detergent and water in a hand sprayer, garden sprayer or spray bottle
  • Apply the solution to the coils
  • Let the solution soak in for a few seconds to loosen the debris
  • Wipe away any loose dirt, dust and grime with a soft brush or cloth

You can also employ cleaning methods using commercial cleaners, compressed air and high-pressure jet washers. However, leaving such tasks to a trained professional comes highly recommended.

The Dangers of Neglecting Coil Maintenance

The risks of not cleaning your coils include:

  • Unnecessarily high energy costs
  • Reduction of equipment lifespan
  • Poor air quality
  • System failures
  • Costly repairs
  • Increased emissions

If you want to have the coils in your commercial HVAC units professionally cleaned, you should call us to learn more about our preventative maintenance program, which almost guarantees to help you save money in the long run. Remember – it’s not just your coils that need maintaining. Duct cleaning, thermostat testing, and a range of components need assessing at least annually. As part of our program, we’ll keep your entire commercial heating and cooling system in top condition to reduce your energy usage and bills, minimize the need for repairs, and help you protect the environment.