Like home HVAC systems, commercial HVAC systems are important to the comfort of those inside the building, however, there are usually many more people to please. That’s why it’s important to know when you should replace your commercial HVAC system – you don’t want your students, employees, volunteers, etc. to have to work in an uncomfortable environment.
Age
If your commercial HVAC system is 15-20 years old and looks like a large chunk of rusting metal on the top of your building, it’s probably time to replace it.
Wear & Tear
Depending on the quality of the product and the level of maintenance it has received, your HVAC upgrade could be overdue by the time it gets to 15 years old.
Malfunctions
When it comes to HVAC units, some malfunctions are simple to repair (such as a blown fuse, dirty filter, or a motor that needs oiling) while others (like a broken furnace fan or refrigerant issues) should be left to the pros. If the malfunctions your HVAC system is experiencing are serious enough, however, you may need to replace the system entirely.
Outdated
Several years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) began a “phasedown” process of a type of refrigerant known as R-22. R-22 was a very popular refrigerant in older HVAC systems but has been discovered to deconstruct the ozone layer and promote global warming.
Productivity
When individuals are at a comfortable temperature, they tend to be more productive. If your HVAC unit is malfunctioning or broken, you may lessen the productivity of the people inside the building (which can be a big problem for business owners).
Consider your energy bills – if they’ve increased recently, your HVAC unit may be the culprit.