Heating And AC Repair Company: Common Issues Affecting The Performance Of HVAC Systems In Offices | Frisco, TX
Commercial properties, such as offices, restaurants, schools, hotels, factories, and storage facilities, use diverse HVAC appliances, including single-split, multi-split, and variable refrigerant flow systems.
Cooling, heating, and ventilation units are vital for providing the utmost comfort in offices and other commercial spaces. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they account for high energy consumption in commercial buildings with approximately 44 percent of all electricity bills.
Most businesses try to lower costs by going for HVAC units that are energy efficient. But, the utility bills can skyrocket if the air conditioners and heaters have issues that affect their peak performance, compelling managers to call a heating and AC repair company to identify and diagnose the mishaps.
The following are some problems that affect the efficiency of the HVAC equipment, increasing energy bills and discomfort.
Dirty Air Filters in the HVAC Units
The first issue that adversely impacts the performance of cooling and heating units is dirty air filters. The primary task of the air filters is to trap small and large dust particles, dirt, allergens, and micro-organic contaminants to stop them from entering the cooling and heating units.
Without frequent cleaning of the air filters, the units tend to clog and affect how the HVAC equipment operates. They restrict air from flowing in the system, making the evaporator coils and the refrigerant unable to function optimally. The clogged air filters require experienced HVAC specialists from a nearby heating and AC repair company for an effective solution.
The underlying causes of dirty air filters include:
- Dirt in the air and the supply ducts
- Substandard filters that attract dirt faster
- Extreme outdoor temperatures make more air pass through the filters
- Damaged or leaking air ducts that allow a lot of dirt and debris to enter the HVAC systems, clogging the units.
- Mold spores in the air, leaving musty smells.
Indicators of dirty air filters that can make you rush to call a renowned heating and AC repair company in Frisco, TX for prompt HVAC services include:
- An overheating heating or cooling unit due to dirt restricts air through the system.
- Increased utility bills because lack of air in the heaters and coolers makes the unit work harder for comfort, using more electricity.
- More allergic reactions in offices due to pollutants or musty smells lead to asthmatic attacks.
- Poor indoor quality
- Bad cooling capacity
Fortunately, no HVAC issue is as easy to fix as dirty air filters. All it requires is cleaning washable parts or replacing the clogged filters with new ones.
Since substandard air filters cannot effectively eliminate dirt, professionals working in a reliable heating and AC repair company in Texas can recommend HEPA air filters that remove 99.97 percent of pollutants.
Other options to consider include the UV light, media, and pleated filters, which have relatively high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value), indicating their efficiency in trapping small dirt particles between 0.3 and 10 microns from the air. In addition, the changeable filters require frequent changing by professionals from a heating and AC repair company.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
Another problem that affects the peak performance of heaters and coolers is dusty evaporator coils. They suck heat from offices in exchange for cooler air during summer. The evaporator coils also absorb heat from outdoors to indoor spaces during winter for maximized comfort. When the evaporator coils become dirty, they increase the risk of HVAC failure or breakdown.
What makes evaporator coils dirty?
- A build-up of dirt that passes through inefficient filters.
- Lack of routine maintenance that entails cleaning the air filters and the coils.
The unclean single-split, multi-split, or variable refrigerant flow systems in commercial buildings require urgent clean-up during maintenance or emergency services to prevent the system from failing. But how will you know it is time to call a heating and AC repair company in Frisco, TX for tune-ups or cleaning of the HVAC coils? The following are signs that your coils are full of dirt.
- Loss of cooling capacity of the air conditioners, heaters, or heat pumps.
- Unusually prolonged running of the HVAC systems.
- Frozen evaporator coils.
Filthy evaporator coils are also easy to clean and maintain. A skilled technician from a reputable heating and AC repair company starts by turning off the electricity supply to the air conditioner or heater.
The expert uses the available tools to remove the access panel to get to the evaporator coils in the single-split, multi-split, and variable refrigerant flow systems to clean them and restore the unit’s peak performance.
Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can significantly impact the efficiency of heaters and coolers. One way the coolant can reduce in the HVAC system is through a leak. Below are some of the causes of refrigerant leakages that a heating and AC repair company can fix:
- Corrosion of the coolant lines inside the air handler.
- Wear and tears due to age
- Pin holes in the copper coils, resulting from formic acid that naturally forms in the system.
- Loose fittings, connections, and joints in the heat pump, heater, or air conditioning unit.
The common signs of refrigerant leaks that can compel you to call a heating and AC repair company for emergency services are not limited to:
- High humidity levels in the office because the low refrigerant compromises the dehumidifying ability of the HVAC system.
- Inefficient cooling or heating
- Abnormally long cooling cycles
- Icy evaporator coils
- Excess utility bills rise as the system struggles to cool or warm commercial spaces.
- Weird sounds, such as bubbling and hissing, from the outdoor units
Luckily, the most effective way to fix low refrigerant levels in the HVAC system is by having professionals from a trustworthy heating and AC repair company in Frisco, TX replace it.
Since EPA regulations only allow certified technicians to replace freon liquid, it is wise to hire qualified and certified professionals for the repairs. The experts understand the need to refill the coolant to the factory-set limit to prevent issues from the excess refrigerant in the unit. They also use coolants that do not deplete the ozone layer.
Excess Refrigerant in the System
In addition to refrigerant leaks, excessive coolant in the system can also affect the smooth running of the HVAC unit. When the Freon liquid in the equipment is more than the optimal amount, it becomes hard for the coolant to change from liquid to gaseous to complete the cooling or heating process.
The surplus refrigerant affects how the HVAC system cools or heats the office, an issue that needs emergency repairs from a heating and AC repair company. Your workers will complain of discomfort because the air conditioner and heater are inefficient due to increased pressure that compels the compressor to work harder than usual.
Reasons Behind the Surplus Coolant in the HVAC Units
There is only one cause of the excess refrigerant in air conditioning appliances, poor repairs. A quack can replace the leaked coolant excessively, exceeding the optimal factory set limit and overcharging the unit.
Moreover, an overcharged unit can lead to an overheating unit, which also increases the probability of an electrical fire if the office has malfunctioned circuit breakers. In addition, it can cause significant compressor damage and failure.
It is essential to meet the EPA requirements that only certified HVAC contractors from a reliable heating and AC repair company can handle issues concerning the refrigerant to avoid having too much coolant.
Telltale signs of too much coolant in air conditioners and heaters
- High pressure in the condensing unit
- Overheating or burning out the compressor
- Discharge temperatures are too high
- Excess compression ratio
- Frozen condenser
- Squealing sounds from the compressor.
When you notice the above signs, do not hesitate to contact a heating and AC repair company to send their best technician to rectify the refrigerant issue.
Duct Leaks
Another issue that can make heating and cooling systems perform poorly is air leakage through ductwork. Air ducts transport conditioned air and heat from HVAC units to the offices in Frisco, TX to ensure bosses and workers are comfortable. The ductwork requires proper sealing for sufficient air to reach all the intended spaces.
The HVAC ducts are susceptible to leaks because of the reasons below.
- Shifting foundations:
Commercial buildings built on expansive soils can affect the structural integrity of the duct materials as they shrink when they have no water and expand with high moisture levels. Therefore, every time there are heavy rains, the soil saturates, making the foundation shift; thus, you’ll need urgent interventions from professionals hired by a reputable heating and AC repair company in Frisco, TX. - Wear and tear of the air ducts
As the ducts age, exposure to different temperatures, vibrations, and high humidity can cause ductwork leaks when the joints become loose. Also, rodents like squirrels and rats in the ductwork can lead to ductwork leaks. In addition, a pressure imbalance between the return and supply air ducts can lead to disconnecting joints.
Indicators of Leaking Ducts
It is not easy to tell a leaky duct system, but the following signs can make you call for help from a nearby heating and AC repair company that might link the issues to leaking ductwork.
- The AC runs but does not cool the office space.
- Uneven cooling and heating cause warm and cool spots.
- High energy use due to an overworking system.
- Poor indoor quality due to dusty surroundings.
Leaking air ducts is not an issue that should worry you because most certified HVAC technicians can address it skillfully and professionally. They can identify the leaking parts and seal them tightly to prevent air leaks that can make the utility bills too costly.
The experienced and skilled practitioners from a heating and AC repair company in Frisco, TX use mastic tape of diverse inches from three to five to cover the cracks and gaps.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
Last but not least, a faulty thermostat can also make the HVAC systems in commercial premises perform poorly. Air conditioners and heating units operate optimally with a peak-performing thermostat that monitors and adjusts temperatures.
They help maintain the low or high temperatures that guarantee comfort at the workplace. With the advancement in technology, there are more advanced options, such as Smart and programmable thermostats.
Like other technological devices, thermostats are also prone to break down and require instant repairs from a heating and AC repair company.
Causes of a Faulty Thermostat
- Dirt build-up in the device
- Wear and tear because they are aging
- Dead batteries
- Faulty high-voltage wire
- Loose or disconnected wiring in the thermostat
- Warm and cold spots in the office
- The thermostat is placed in the wrong position, unable to control temperatures.
A faulty thermostat can make offices uncomfortable because the unit keeps on turning on and off. It also fails to regulate temperatures. You should reach out to a heating and AC repair company when you observe the following signs in your offices:
- The HVAC unit runs constantly
- Short cycling
- The set temperature does not match the temperature in the offices
- The air conditioner or furnace fails to function
- The thermostat is off.
After diagnosing the problem correctly, the HVAC specialist can replace the fuse or the thermostat’s batteries. The pro can also replace the thermostat with a Smart or Programmable type for efficiency.
We Are Here to Address Your HVAC Needs!
You can call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas for quality services. We are a heating and AC repair company serving the HVAC needs of commercial and residential clients in and around Frisco, TX since 1988.
Our licensed, NATE-certified and insured employees use the latest technology in the HVAC industry and state-of-the-art tools to provide a spectrum of heating and cooling services in commercial properties. So, if you experience the above problems in your office building, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas today for urgent and prompt repair services.