Tips to Winterize Your Commercial HVAC System

Preparing your commercial heating system for the cold weather season is an important task. With proper prep, you can save a significant amount of money on your monthly energy bills, ensuring a comfortable environment for employees and customers. Set your HVAC system up for success with these tips for winterizing your commercial building.

Change HVAC Filters 

Dirty air filters force your HVAC system to work harder to move heated air throughout your building, raising energy costs and reducing the lifespan of your system. Fortunately, air filters are easy and inexpensive to replace.

Reduce HVAC System Stress

Scheduling routine preventative maintenance in the fall, before temperatures plummet, is key to achieving the highest possible level of performance and efficiency. Your local commercial HVAC technician will be able to thoroughly inspect your system controls, equipment, and ductwork, cleaning, making corrections, and performing repairs that will ensure reliable performance through winter’s worst weather. They can also verify your ventilation system is up to snuff, properly venting harmful gases such as carbon monoxide to the outdoors, ensuring health and safety.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Thermostat settings should change from summer to winter. Just a few degrees of adjustment can save you some significant dough. You can also eke out added savings with a programmable thermostat, adjusting settings for when your building is vacant and preventing thermostat tampering.

Prevent Heat Loss

Insulate your ductwork with rigid fiberboard or blanket insulation and inspect it for leaks. Your ductwork transports heated air throughout your building, so connections must be tight and sealed with duct mastic or metal tape. Vents and registers must also be secured. It’s important to remember: Any heat loss via your ducts translates to higher heating bills.

Guard Against Building Air Leaks

Air leaks waste a significant amount of energy and negatively impact indoor comfort. Be sure to check areas surrounding windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, and venting, preventing the loss of conditioned air with weather stripping, caulking, spray foam, sweeps, and other devices. A commercial energy audit can help you identify overlooked leaks, including small, hidden ones that are robbing your building of heat and draining your bank account.

Add More Insulation

Make sure the walls, ceiling, floors, and foundation of your business are well insulated to prevent the transfer of heat from warmer to colder areas. Incorporate more insulation in areas where there is insufficient or absent insulation. Roll blanket insulation between beams and joists, spray foam or loose-fill insulation into hard-to-reach areas, and don’t forget to insulate your pipes, especially in areas of your building that get especially cold.

Inspect Roofing

Insect your rooftop for visible damage or holes that could leak when ice and snow melt. Look closely around flashing and seals surrounding vents, pipes, and chimneys.

Keep your employees and customers warm and safe this winter. Prepare your commercial business for the cold weather season with these winterization tips and schedule your fall preventative maintenance checkup with H & H Commercial Services today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/tips-to-winterize-your-commercial-hvac-system/