Safeguard Your Commercial HVAC Against Ice Damage

Winter is coming, and with it will come plenty of snow and ice. While snow can be beautiful, it can also be a threat to your HVAC equipment if you don’t take adequate steps to protect your system. As a commercial HVAC service company, we’re here to explain why protecting your equipment from snow and ice is so important. Here are three key reasons to safeguard your HVAC system this season.

1. Ice Can Cause Mechanical Damage

Allowing ice to build up on your outdoor AC unit, or on other outdoor HVAC equipment, can cause serious mechanical damage to that equipment. When temperatures are a bit warmer, water can work its way into little cracks and crevices in the equipment. Then, when the ice freezes, it expands. In doing so, it can pull apart components or loosen screws and other fasteners. This can happen not only on the outside of the unit but with interior components like the motor, too.

Ice can also damage HVAC equipment by falling on it. As commercial heating and air conditioning repair contractors, we’ve repaired units that have been dented or broken by falling icicles. So, if your equipment is positioned under gutters or a roof ledge, it will need a strong cover or overhang to protect it from falling ice in the winter.

2. Ice and Snow Lead to Rust

Most HVAC equipment is made to resist rusting, but eventually, long-term exposure to snow and ice can cause rust to form anyways. You’ll see rust start to form on the outside of your unit. In this case, you can have the unit sealed or painted by a commercial HVAC repair and service company to protect against additional rusting. However, when rust appears on the interior components of your HVAC equipment, you may not find out about it until the unit fails.

This is one reason why covering your outdoor HVAC equipment in preparation for winter is so important. Wait for a dry day to do this maintenance so you don’t trap moisture against the unit.

3. Ice and Snow Reduce Airflow

If you have a heat pump, then it will be working all winter to heat your commercial space. You don’t want ice and snow to build up on or around it, as this will limit airflow into and through the unit. Limited airflow may mean your building does not receive the heat it needs. However, the lack of airflow can also cause additional wear and tear on the HVAC equipment over time. For example, it can cause pressure to build up in the blower unit, making the motor work harder to push out air.

If you take good care and protect your HVAC equipment throughout the winter season, the equipment will continue to serve you well. Rely on commercial HVAC mechanical contractors to make repairs and updates as needed. Don’t hesitate to contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning if you need to make an appointment.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/safeguard-your-commercial-hvac-against-ice-damage/

Preparing for the Cold: Winterize Your Grow Room

Winter is coming, and with it will come plenty of snow, ice, and cold weather. Chances are, you’re taking steps to prepare your home and business for the change in seasons. Along the way, make sure you don’t forget your grow room.

Taking some time to focus on grow room climate control and winterization will pay off in spades. You’ll have healthier plants, a better harvest, and an easier time managing the weather-related trials of winter. Here are the three key ways to winterize your grow room.

1. Turn Off and Protect Your Air Conditioner

Especially if you’re in a region with hot summers, you likely relied on your air conditioner to keep your grow room a suitable temperature during the hottest months. Now that you won’t be using your AC, you need to turn the unit off and take steps to protect it from the elements. Doing so will help ensure the AC is in great shape and ready to serve you again once winter is over.

If you can disconnect your AC compressor and store it indoors, do so. Otherwise, have a commercial HVAC service company come out to service the unit and cover it properly for winter.

2. Beef Up Your Insulation

If your grow room is well insulated, you won’t have to rely on the heating system so heavily in the winter. This will mean lower energy bills. It will also mean that your HVAC equipment suffers less wear and tear, which will extend its lifespan and make it less prone to breakdowns and damage in the long run.

If your grow room walls are enclosed, blown-in insulation can be a convenient choice. It can be installed through a few tiny holes in the wall. Also make sure the weatherstripping along doors and windows is in tact and not leaky.

3. Warm Up Your Water

You probably fill your irrigation system with water that comes from the outdoors. In the winter, this water can be quite cold, which can shock your plants and limit their productivity. So, before winter comes, you should work with your commercial HVAC mechanical contractors to create a way to warm your water.

There are lots of ways to warm water intended for irrigation. You can install a heated, insulated box to store your houses in. Or, you could install a heater reservoir where the water is allowed to slowly warm up before being delivered to your plants. A commercial HVAC repair and service company can help you choose the best option for your setup.

Time spent winterizing your grow room is never wasted. If you need any help winterizing your grow room or improving its HVAC setup, contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer commercial heating and air conditioning repair, and more.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/preparing-for-the-cold-winterize-your-grow-room/