Should I Change My Commercial HVAC Filter?

Your commercial HVAC filter plays an important role. It filters dust and debris out of the air that circulates through your space. In this way, it helps keep both your building and your HVAC equipment clean. However, commercial HVAC filters do not last forever. Eventually, they become saturated with debris and need to be changed. The following are a few key signs that it’s time to change your commercial HVAC filter.

1. It’s been more than three months.

Most businesses need to change their HVAC filters every three months. This is true of stores, office buildings, and most medical and health centers. If it has been more than three months since you changed your HVAC filter, installing a new one will help restore your system’s efficiency. You won’t have to call a commercial HVAC repair company as often if you change your filters on schedule, either.

In order to stay on schedule with future filter changes, try buying several filters at once. This way, you always have a spare on hand. Also, write the filter change dates into your schedule, or set up phone/email reminders.

2. It’s been more than a month in a “dirty” facility.

If you run a business that produces a lot of debris, then it’s a good idea to change your HVAC filters monthly. This guideline applies in most manufacturing businesses, and also in auto shops and other repair shops. Once a filter gets clogged, it will no longer do its job. Debris will start to build up in the air, which is not healthy in facilities like these. Regular filter changes make for a happier, healthier workplace.

3. Your energy bills have gone up.

If your energy bills have gone up, this could be because you’re not changing your air filter often enough. Once the filter becomes clogged, the system has to work harder to push air through the filter, which drives your energy bills up. Change your filter, and see if your energy bills go down. If they do not, have a commercial HVAC contractor come look at your system. You may need some other, minor repairs to restore efficiency.

High energy bills can also mean your filter is too restrictive. Filters with a high MERV rating catch a lot of small debris, but they also restrict airflow too much for some systems. Ask your commercial HVAC service company to recommend filters with the ideal MERV rating for your needs.

4. Your space is dirty.

Have you begun to notice more dust accumulating on your surfaces? This means you need to change your air filter. You may also benefit from switching to a more effective filter — one with a slightly higher MERV rating. These filters capture smaller particulate debris, leading to cleaner air.

Change your filters regularly, and you’ll reduce your need for HVAC repairs. With that being said, feel free to contact H & H Commercial Services if your HVAC equipment is struggling. We offer commercial heating and air conditioning repair Philadelphia residents can trust.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/should-i-change-my-commercial-hvac-filter/

Commercial HVAC Odors & What They Mean

Business owners often become concerned if their HVAC system begins emitting unfamiliar odors. And indeed, some HVAC odors are a reason for concern. Others, however, are quite normal or are simply an indication of a minor, temporary issue. Review the following odors and what they mean, and you’ll know what to do the next time your commercial HVAC system starts smelling.

Burning Dust

When you first turn the HVAC system on for the season, you may notice an odor that reminds you of burning or scorched dust. Don’t let this one alarm you too much. Some dust probably settled on the burner while the unit was turned off. Once the dust burns up, the odor should go away.

If you still notice the dusty odor a day or two after turning the system off, then you may want to have a commercial HVAC service company come clean and maintain your system. Regular system maintenance can prevent these odors from occurring in the first place.

Rotten Eggs

A “rotten eggs” odor is perhaps the most concerning odor that can come from HVAC equipment. It means you have a gas leak. Natural gas is not naturally scented, but gas companies add sulfur to the gas to ensure that leaks don’t go unnoticed.

Gas leaks are an emergency, especially in a commercial setting. If you smell rotten eggs, evacuate the building and call your commercial HVAC repair company immediately.

Metallic Odors

Sometimes you may notice an odor that reminds you of hot or burning metal. This is usually an indication that the wiring or electrical components of your HVAC system are malfunctioning. What you’re smelling could be a wire or other component overheating.

While most commercial HVAC equipment is designed with emergency shut-offs to turn the equipment off before a fire starts, a metallic odor is still a reason for concern. Turn your system off, and call a local commercial HVAC contractor. Your system may need a new blower motor, ball bearing, or belt.

Mold and Mildew

When the heat or air conditioning turns on, do you notice a musty, moldy smell wafting through the room? Such odors are common. They are not particularly dangerous, although mold can cause allergy symptoms in some people. However, mold and mildew odors often indicate that your condensate drain is clogged, causing water to pool and encourage mold growth. It’s wise to let an HVAC contractor take a look.

Oily Smells

If you have an oil-burning furnace or boiler, then be on the lookout for oily smells. These odors generally indicate that you have an oil leak. It could be in the oil tank, in the oil lines, or in the heater itself. Call commercial HVAC mechanical contractors Philadelphia residents trust to work on oil-burning systems, and have the leak addressed before any more oil is wasted.

If you notice these or other odors coming from your HVAC equipment, don’t hesitate to contact H & H Commercial Services. We offer commercial heating and air conditioning repair Philadelphia business owners can rely on.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/commercial-hvac-odors-what-they-mean/

Tips For Keeping Your Grow Room Warm This Winter

Regardless of the outdoor temperature, plants tend to do best at temperatures in the 70s. Even if there is a brief disruption in temperature, it can take weeks for plants’ growth rate to recover. So, as winter continues on, keeping your grow room warm should be a top priority. How do you go about doing that? Here are some top tips for better grow room climate control in the chilly winter months.

Increase Your Lighting Time

When the lights in a grow room are on, the space tends to stay a lot warmer, even when it is downright bitter outside. So, you may want to consider leaving your lights on for a bit longer than usual in the winter. When cannabis plants are in their vegetative growth phase, they can tolerate up to 24 hours of light.

Along with increasing your lighting time, however, you must make sure you have a good, adjustable thermostat in your grow room. You need the thermostat to detect the room’s temperature so the heat only kicks on when necessary. Otherwise, you risk over-heating the space when both the lights and the heater are on. If you still have an old, dial-style thermostat, have a local commercial HVAC service company come install a modern,WiFi-compatible model.

Improve Insulation

The role of insulation is to trap heat inside the space. The better your insulation, the more even the temperature will remain inside your grow room.

There are a few easy ways to improve your grow room insulation without spending a fortune. Consider placing your equipment on a cheap rug or carpet, rather than directly on concrete floors. If you have a grow tent, you could also wrap it in a large blanket or blankets.

Add a Fan Heater

A fan heater is an accessory heating device that can blow warm air directly onto your plants. This can be a good addition to your grow room setup if you’re in a really cold climate and are struggling to keep your space warm enough. However, fan heaters can damage a plant if your air is dry. For this reason, it is wise to work with a commercial HVAC repair and service company to make sure your humidity levels are safe for your plants. If your humidity is low, they may recommend installing a humidifier along with the fan heater.

Warm Your Nutrients

When you’re feeding plants liquid nutrient preparations, you must make sure the nutrients are at the same temperature as your room. If they are too cold, they can freeze and damage the plants’ roots. So, make sure the area where you store your nutrients and water is heated to the same temperature as your grow room. This may mean having a commercial HVAC mechanical contractor install an additional heater in your storage area.

Keep your grow room warm this winter, and your plants will thank you. Follow the tips above, and contact H & H Commercial Services if you’re looking for commercial heating and air conditioning repair services.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/tips-for-keeping-your-grow-room-warm-this-winter/

HVAC Energy Consumption In Commercial Buildings: 4 Ways To Save

When temperatures drop, heating bills tend to go up. This is as true in commercial buildings as it is in your home. To some extent, heating bills are just a part of doing business in the winter. However, there’s no reason to pay more for energy than you need to. Our commercial HVAC contractors have some tips to help you reduce your HVAC energy consumption, even during peak heating season.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Is your commercial space still equipped with an old, dial-style thermostat, or even an early-model programmable thermostat? Upgrading to a smart thermostat is an easy way to save on energy bills. A commercial HVAC repair technician can install one in a few hours or less.

With a smart thermostat, you can control the temperature of your building remotely. If you decide to close one day, you can turn the temperature down from home, saving yourself energy and a trip to the building. You can also monitor your energy use over time, via the associated app. If you see energy consumption rising, you can take steps to reduce consumption ASAP.

Perform an Energy Audit

An energy audit will tell you where your building is losing heat, which alerts you to changes that can be made. You may find, for instance, that your building lacks insulation in the walls, and that adding insulation is the best way to slash your heating bills. Or, you may discover that your heating equipment is operating inefficiently and needs a tune-up.

Commercial heating and air conditioning contractors in Philadelphia offer energy audits for commercial spaces. You can have the audit performed during the same appointment as your annual HVAC maintenance, which is also important to prevent energy waste.

Replace Your Air Filters

One of the biggest causes of HVAC inefficiency is dirty filters. When a filter becomes dirty and clogged, the HVAC equipment has to work harder to push air through it. Changing your filters every quarter can go a long way towards preventing this problem. You may also want to have a commercial HVAC service company clean your ducts and vents to slow the rate at which dirt builds up in your filters.

Establish a Maintenance Plan

Instead of waiting for something to go wrong with your HVAC system, perform preventative maintenance. Establish a maintenance contract with an HVAC company in your area. They can come lubricate and adjust your system regularly. While they are there, they can check for any minor issues and repair them before they start having a big impact on system efficiency. Simply lubricating and adjusting the equipment can reduce energy consumption, too.

Don’t let heating bills get the best of you this winter. Contact H & H Commercial Services to schedule your appointment soon. We offer commercial heating and air conditioning repair Philadelphia residents trust.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/hvac-energy-consumption-in-commercial-buildings-4-ways-to-save/

Have Rooftop HVAC Units? Make Sure Your Roof is Protected

Rooftop HVAC systems offer a lot of benefits for commercial building owners. Placing the HVAC equipment on the rooftop reduces noise pollution, helps you maintain a certain aesthetic, and improves energy performance. However, when you have a rooftop HVAC unit, you do need to be mindful of your roof itself. Consider the following tips to prevent HVAC-related roof damage.

Install Equipment Correctly

HVAC equipment is heavy, and as such, certain precautions need to be taken when it is placed on the roof. If the equipment is not placed properly, it may weaken your roof structure over time. Improper installation may also lead to cracks and damage to the roof membrane, allowing water to seep in and cause future damage.

This is why it’s vital to hire only experienced commercial HVAC mechanical contractors Philadelphia residents trust to install your equipment. Trained contractors know how to install rooftop HVAC systems without damaging the roof membrane, creating low spots where water could pool, or compromising the integrity of the roof materials.

Limit Foot Traffic

When your HVAC equipment is on the roof, you don’t want just anyone spending time up there. They could unintentionally or intentionally cause damage not only to your HVAC equipment but also to the associated roof structure.

Even people who mean well create wear and tear on the roof as they walk across its surface to access the HVAC equipment. As such, you should only allow people to access the roof when they have a good reason to be up there. Even commercial HVAC repair technicians who are working on your equipment should follow established foot paths so that the associated damage to the roofing membrane can be monitored over time.

Watch for Pooling Water

One of the most common issues seen with rooftop HVAC systems is water pooling around the equipment. This can happen when the unit stops vaporizing water properly. The moisture may not be being released into the air properly. Instead, it could be dripping down the unit and onto the roof’s surface.

Having a commercial HVAC service company regularly inspect and maintain your rooftop HVAC system can reduce the risk of pooling water. If you do ever see water pooling near your HVAC equipment, make sure you call a commercial HVAC contractor right away. The sooner the water is cleaned up and the system is maintained, the lower your risk of permanent, water-related roof damage.

Rooftop HVAC systems are incredibly popular for commercial businesses, and for good reason. They offer a flexible, easy-to-maintain, efficient heating and cooling solution for buildings of many shapes and sizes. If you have one of these systems, just make sure it is installed, repaired, and maintained in ways that take your overall roof structure into account.

If you are looking for commercial heating and air conditioning repair Philadelphia residents can count on, contact H & H Commercial Services, Inc. We work with rooftop HVAC units and more.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/have-rooftop-hvac-units-make-sure-your-roof-is-protected/

Optimize Your Indoor Growing Environments for Maximum Productivity

You don’t just want to grow cannabis. You want to grow high-quality cannabis. In order to achieve this goal, you of course need the best clones and the best nutrients, but you also need a good indoor environment. Dialing in your air quality, temperature, and humidity will allow you to grow a better crop, and perhaps also more crop. The following are some top tips that grow room hvac design experts recommend for better productivity.

1. Keep Your Humidity Closely Controlled

Controlling humidity in a grow room takes constant vigilance. After all, your plants give off moisture, take in moisture, and are affected by the levels of moisture in the air.

In the summer, your air conditioning system will remove excess moisture from the air. However, your commercial HVAC sevice company may also recommend installing a separate dehumidifier to remove more humidity. In the winter, when your AC is not running, this dehumidifier will work to keep your grow room humidity levels under control.

When considering your dehumidifier options, focus on high-efficiency models. They’ll keep your energy bills down and are better for the planet, too.

2. Seal Your Grow Room

Some people do grow successfully in unsealed grow rooms, but it is unlikely that their productivity will ever reach that of sealed grow rooms. By sealing your space, you gain far more control over the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and even the amount of light in the space.

Creating a sealed grow room does cost more up-front, and it may take you a while to dial in all of your parameters. But at the end of the day, you’ll be able to produce more cannabis and better-quality cannabis, and that will certainly help you recoup your costs in the form of larger profits.

3. Have a Ventilation System Professionally Installed

Of course, if you seal your grow room, you will need a ventilation system to bring fresh air in and allow stale air out. It’s a good idea to leave grow room ventilation setup to the professionals. They can make sure your system is properly sized for your space, which helps reduce the risk of inadequate ventilation.

There are a few different types of ventilation systems, but the best type is usually a hybrid system. Hybrid systems treat the outdoor air before allowing it in, removing all pathogens and pests. They also treat the exhaust air to remove odors, which your neighbors will likely appreciate. Commercial HVAC mechanical contractors Philadelphia residents trust can take a look at your grow room and recommend hybrid ventilation systems that may work well for you.

If you own or are building a grow room, make sure you work with a professional to design an air handling setup that gives you control over temperature, humidity, and air quality. Contact H&H Commercial Services, Inc. if you’re looking for a commercial heating and air conditioning repair Philadelphia service.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/optimize-your-indoor-growing-environments-for-maximum-productivity/

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/