Not every single hiss or bang is an issue, but you should know when to contact a commercial HVAC repair technician for more severe problems. If you don’t repair your HVAC unit when needed, you could end up spending more in the long run on more expensive additional repairs that disrupt your business.
If you notice signs such as burning smells or warm air blowing through the vents of your business premises, it may be time to admit there is a problem. Fortunately, there are ways to know when your commercial HVAC system needs to be serviced by a professional.
Spikes in Your Electricity Bill
Have you noticed a recent spike in your electricity bill? If you have, you may be dealing with an HVAC system that isn’t working properly. Malfunctioning HVAC equipment has to work harder to cool air, which results in higher utility bills. You will want to call in a pro if you notice a major spike in your commercial AC utility bill.
A professional can help you decide whether you need to repair or replace your unit. Often, older units have a more difficult time cooling air due to wear and tear. If a fix is needed, a cooling and heating repair professional can pinpoint the problem using specialized tools.
Blowing Hot Air
There’s nothing more troubling than when your HVAC unit can’t do its job and cool the air properly. If all the parts of your HVAC unit are properly functioning together, you should get cool air consistently, even on the hottest days. However, if your appliance starts to blow hot air or hardly any cool air, you will need to contact an HVAC professional. There could be a refrigerant leak, which occurs when your HVAC system’s refrigerant level is too low. This causes your air conditioner’s cooling capacity to greatly decrease.
Motor Not Working
If the motor in your HVAC unit stops working, you may erroneously believe that your HVAC system has stopped working altogether. However, there are numerous reasons why your HVAC system’s motor may have stopped working. They include:
- Overheating breaker or fuse
- Insufficient airflow
- Ice accumulation on evaporator coils
- Too much buildup of debris, grime, and dirt
No matter what the cause may be, you will need to contact an HVAC repair professional when the motor stops running.
Uneven Cooling
Your HVAC system should be capable of cooling all the rooms in your commercial building consistently. However, if you notice that some rooms are getting colder than others, your HVAC system may need to be repaired or replaced.
The cause could be a dirty filter or furniture blocking vents, or it could be a sign of a more complex problem. The HVAC components themselves may have been improperly installed, there could be leaks in the air ducts, or a significant amount of debris and dirt may be clogging your ducts.
Unusual Noises
Your HVAC system should make some noise when cooling, but unusual noises could be a sign of a more in-depth problem. If you hear hissing, banging, or rattling, there could be a serious problem at hand. Hissing noises often indicate leaking ducts or an incorrectly sized filter. Clanging noises can indicate loose parts. Rattling noises often come from twigs or leaves inside the air conditioner. If your air conditioner makes any of these noises, contact an HVAC professional immediately.
Foul Odors
Foul odors coming from your vents are a definite sign of HVAC system problems. A burning smell could signal that wires inside your system are burning, and this could pose a threat to the safety of your building’s occupants. If you notice a burning scent, you need to immediately shut off your unit and contact a professional. If you notice a musty odor, bacteria could be accumulating inside your HVAC system, which in turn can produce bacteria in your air ducts. If this is a problem, you may need professional air duct cleaning.
Pooling Water
Is water pooling around your HVAC unit? If water is collecting, something is probably wrong. Your HVAC system’s overflow pan may be leaking, or there could be a clogged condensate line. If your condensate line is blocked, your HVAC equipment can freeze over due to trapped water inside it.
Frequent Cycling
Does your HVAC unit cycle on and off frequently? Although it is normal for your HVAC unit to run more frequently on hot days, it should not be cycling on and off every few minutes. In some cases, this over-cycling may be due to a malfunctioning thermostat that can no longer sense temperature properly.
Since the thermostat is responsible for starting and stopping your unit, a faulty one may be the cause of the issue. However, if you’ve recently replaced your cooling system, the cycling could signal that it is too powerful for your building. A system that is too large for a building often cools too quickly, leading to fast shutoff times.
No Airflow
One of the primary signs of HVAC trouble is when little or no air flows through the vent. If your HVAC system is failing to push through cold air, you may be frustrated or confused, especially if it is a hot day. This is a sign your system is probably in trouble, but you may not need to buy a new one.
Most of the time, an HVAC professional will need to replace only a single part. If your HVAC system does produce air, but not enough to cool the entire space, there may be a problem with your ducts or compressor. No matter what the problem may be, it must be diagnosed by an HVAC professional.
Multiple Repairs
An ongoing HVAC maintenance plan goes a long way toward maximizing the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. But if you made what seems like endless repairs, that’s a sign that it may be nearing the end of its life. If you’ve made several repairs and it still has problems, you probably need to replace it completely. Even if the repairs are fairly minor, the more you have in a short time, the more you will ultimately spend.
When this happens, you may want to start thinking about saving money by installing new equipment. It is important to note that most HVAC systems last 10 to 15 years, so if yours is older, it may be time for a full replacement. A professional can help you decide if it is best to continue calling for repairs or have a new system installed.
Schedule Service Today
If you are having problems with your commercial HVAC system, Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. can be of assistance. We understand how frustrating a malfunctioning HVAC system can be, and that is why we strive to repair or replace your heating equipment or AC system quickly and affordably.
Our company offers a number of heating and cooling services to commercial business owners in the greater Nashua, NH area. We can help you with boilers, heat recovery and energy recovery ventilation, central and ductless air conditioning, air purification, and ultraviolet remediation. We also offer 24/7 emergency services.
Contact our Nashua, NH HVAC team at Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. today to learn more or schedule service.
