Beat the Heat without Busting Your Budget with these Commercial HVAC Summer Tips

Is your commercial heating and air conditioning system prepared to manage summer weather extremes? Beat the heat without busting your budget with these tips for commercial systems from the pros at H&H Commercial Services…

Start Things Off Right

Begin the season right with routine professional system maintenance. Being proactive can prevent the need for emergency commercial air conditioning repair service, helping you address issues before your system goes down in summer temperature extremes. This is especially essential for systems 10-years old or more, which are more prone to issues. Professional system service covers tasks that you cannot, including:

• Adjusting refrigerant levels detrimental to the performance and efficiency of your system.
• Verifying proper thermostat function to ensure efficient operation.
• Cleaning key components, such as your coils and compressor, which, when dirty, force your system to work harder, inflating energy costs.
• Inspect the condition of key components such as fan blades, motors, belts, and wiring, addressing issues before they result in an inoperable system.
• Clearing drainage issues that could result in mold and water damage if left unaddressed.

Keep Components Clean

Due to the demands of summer use, it is essential to keep these key commercial HVAC components clean with proper in-house maintenance:

• Air filters.
  Air filters should be changed monthly to ensure peak performance and operation during summer use.
• Exterior components.
  Remove any debris surrounding the exterior unit, including tall grass and weeds and leaf and trash buildup that can block proper airflow to your system.

Enhance Savings & Security with a Smart Programmable Thermostat

Tired of summer thermostat wars? Nix the issue and reduce energy bills with the addition of a smart programmable thermostat. Today’s top models require minimal programming and are conveniently operated by you or your management staff to ensure comfort and savings, allowing for the easy adjustment of temperatures when your building is occupied/unoccupied. A smart thermostat addition can save you $200 annually (or more) on your energy expenditures, quickly compensating for your investment when properly used. Talk to your local commercial HVAC service company about the best models for your HVAC system and business.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

These come in many forms:

• Ductwork leaks.
  Ensure ductwork is properly connected, sealed, and insulated, particularly if located in unconditioned attic or crawlspaces. Leaky ductwork can cause you to lose up to 30% of conditioned air, substantially inflating your energy costs.
• Building envelope leaks.
  Make sure windows and doors are properly sealed with weather stripping and caulk. Likewise, identify and seal leaks around plumbing and electrical fixtures with spray foam to keep cool air in.
• Heat transfer.
  Close windows and drapes, outfitting them with thermal blinds and curtains, to prevent daytime heat infiltration. This is especially important on south and west-facing windows.

Sweating summer air conditioning bills? Keep your cool with the help of the commercial HVAC services of H&H today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/beat-the-heat-without-busting-your-budget-commercial-hvac-summer-tips/

How Much Does HVAC Effect Employee Performance?

It probably won’t come as a huge surprise that your commercial heating and cooling system plays a role in employee performance. What may shock you is how much it affects your staff. From physical comfort and its effect on employee satisfaction and turnover to productivity and avoidable stress, today we’ll dig a little deeper into the effects of your HVAC system on your work environment.

Physical Comfort

Thermal comfort plays an integral role in employee productivity. To ensure comfort and safety, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a thermostat temperature setting of 68-76-degrees Fahrenheit. This is a wide range, and will vary by season and personal employee tolerances. Managing temperatures in the work environment is tricky, and employee feedback should play a key role. Not accounting for employee preferences could lead to objections from workers and ultimately, thermostat wars. Summer and winter draw the most complaints due to temperature extremes. To avoid ‘rogue’ thermostat adjustments, limiting the ability to change HVAC settings with a smart programmable thermostat accessible only by key personnel is best.

Indoor Air Quality

Commercial air conditioning contractors know, HVAC systems with only basic air filter setups don’t do much to remove airborne irritants like dust, dust mites, and pollen from the air. For the over 60-million people suffering from allergic rhinitis, this can equate to a very bad workday. Itchy, watery eyes; a stuffy, runny, itchy nose; and frequent sneezing and coughing do not make for a productive day at the office, reducing employee performance and efficiency. This effect is amplified in working environments that already suffer from poor indoor air quality. Adding air purification components to your commercial HVAC system, including a HEPA filter capable of removing allergens and other contaminants, requires a minor investment, reaping big gains in productivity, especially in allergy season.

Overall Health

Mold, mildew, bacteria, and even pests are drawn to and rapidly reproduce in high humidity environments. These pollutants can trigger severe illness, especially in those with allergies, asthma, and upper respiratory conditions. Your commercial HVAC system should monitor humidity to protect the health of your employees, reducing unplanned sick leave and the need for medical attention that can effect benefit plan rates. If your work environment is frequently muggy or sticky, commercial humidity control may be in order.

Distractions

Noise in the workplace can be distracting for staff, making phone and meeting conversations difficult. It can also be especially distracting for clientele, who may not be used to the seemingly odd sounds of a loud commercial HVAC system. If your business is suffering from the effects of a disruptively noisy system, talk to your local commercial HVAC services company about the latest smart and zoned systems, and how automating your system can not only reduce noise levels at your workplace, but save your business on heating and cooling costs.

Increase productivity, safeguard the health of your staff, and lower your carbon footprint. Learn more about ways to improve commercial HVAC performance from H&H Commercial Services today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/how-much-does-hvac-effect-employee-performance/