Common HVAC Issues in Commercial Buildings and How to Address Them

Commercial HVAC systems are often large and complex. As such, you’ll want to rely on professionals to repair and maintain them. But you do still need to know when something is amiss so you can call your commercial HVAC mechanical service. Keep reading, and you’ll discover some of the most common HVAC issues in commercial facilities – and how to address them.

Dirty Filters

Your HVAC system has a large filter to catch dust and debris and prevent it from continuing to circulate through the air. When the filter becomes too dirty, your system may lose efficiency or even start short-cycling – turning on and off in short succession. Your HVAC contractor should change the filter each time they are you to maintain your system. In some systems, it’s fairly easy to change the filter, and your contractor may show you how to do it yourself.

Strange Noises

If your HVAC system suddenly starts making strange noises, something is amiss. A squealing sound often means that the belt in the fan motor is damaged or worn. A rattling noise may indicate that a bolt or fastener has come loose. A good HVAC contractor can listen to a system run, tell you what is wrong, and then make the required repairs. Luckily, most of these issues, including loose bolts and frayed belts, are relatively easy to fix.

Condensation Buildup

Most newer commercial HVAC systems are condensing units. They produce condensation, which is pumped down a condensate tube and into a drain. If something goes wrong with the drainage system, you may notice water pooling on the ground or rooftop around the HVAC equipment. The drain line may be clogged, or the pump may have broken. These issues are not emergencies, as your system should continue to heat and cool. However, you will want to have your HVAC team make repairs before the water damage gets too serious.

Loss of Responsiveness

What if your HVAC system simply won’t turn on? Some issues that cause a lack of responsiveness are rather minor, such as a short in the thermostat wiring. Others, like a broken ignitor, are a little harder for your HVAC team to fix. The professionals can make an evaluation and tell you whether it’s a better idea to replace or repair the equipment. It will depend on the extent of the damage, whether your system is under warranty, and how old your current equipment is.

When something goes wrong with your HVAC system, it helps to have a reliable team by your side. If your commercial HVAC system is not working properly, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at H&H Commercial Services, Inc. We’re proud to be the commercial HVAC mechanical contractors Philadelphia business owners can depend on.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/common-hvac-issues-in-commercial-buildings-and-how-to-address-them/

How Much Air Conditioning Do You Need For Your Server Room?

Server rooms need to be kept cool in order to protect the sensitive IT equipment they house. If the room becomes too warm, even if only for a few hours, the equipment could fail and important data could be lost. As such, it is highly important for any server room to be properly air-conditioned. Here’s a closer look at what that means.

Temperature Requirements

The air conditioning system you install should be sufficient to keep the server room between 18 and 27 degrees C, or 64 and 80 degrees F. This is the server room temperature range recommended by ASHRAE,  the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. Your commercial HVAC mechanical contractors will take this into account when recommending air conditioning units.

Humidity Requirements

Air conditioners do more than simply cool air. They also remove humidity from the air. In a server room, it is very important to keep humidity levels between 40 and 60% relative humidity. Too much moisture in the air could lead to the corrosion of certain metal components, and air that is too dry can perpetuate static.

Your commercial HVAC repair and service contractors will generally try to satisfy humidity control requirements with an air conditioner alone, but in some cases, they may also opt to install a dehumidifier. These appliances remove excess moisture from the air and can usually be coordinated with your thermostat for easy control.

Amount of Equipment

Calculating the best-size air conditioner for a server room is a bit more complicated than calculating the best-size air conditioner for the average space. Server equipment gives off a substantial amount of heat as it runs. The air conditioner has to be capable of exhausting this excess heat. The more equipment a server room contains, the more heat will need to be removed. In other words, a very full server room requires a more powerful air conditioner than a nearly empty one.

If you have plans to add additional IT equipment to your server room, tell your HVAC contractor about these plans. They will need to take the added equipment into account when calculating how many BTUs of cooling your AC unit needs to offer.

Server rooms can hold millions of dollars worth of equipment, and proper air conditioning is essential to protect that equipment. The best way to determine what size air conditioner you need is to consult with commercial HVAC contractors Philadelphia residents have come to depend on. A knowledgeable HVAC contractor will look over your server room and precisely calculate your necessary cooling capacity.

If you’re in need of a commercial HVAC company in the Philadelphia area, contact H&H Commercial Services, Inc. We offer comprehensive AC installation, repair, and maintenance services for computer rooms, server rooms, and more.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/how-much-air-conditioning-do-you-need-for-your-server-room/