Even if your system is working, late summer is one of the best times to get your commercial rooftop units inspected. Your equipment has been working hard to keep your building cool, and all of that heavy summer use can reveal problems that may disappear once cooler weather arrives. A belt that slips under load, a motor that’s running hot, or an economizer that isn’t opening correctly can be easier to identify while the cooling system is still operating.
Our team at Althoff Industries, Inc. helps Chicago businesses keep their commercial HVAC systems up and running. We help avoid unexpected shutdowns and downtime with late-summer RTU inspections that address problems before heating season begins.
What Does Rooftop HVAC Maintenance Include?
A thorough RTU inspection is more than swapping out a dirty air filter. Our commercial heating and cooling technicians check the parts that can affect efficiency, airflow, and reliability before heating season begins.
A rooftop HVAC maintenance visit may include:
- Checking belts for cracking, glazing, proper tension, and alignment
- Inspecting motors and bearings for unusual noise, vibration, or overheating
- Checking coils for dirt and debris that can restrict heat transfer and increase run time
- Inspecting contactors, wiring, terminals, capacitors, and other electrical connections
- Looking for signs of wear, overheating, or damage that could lead to an unexpected failure
Catching the smaller issues during August and September gives you time to address them before your equipment moves into heating season.
How Often Should Commercial HVAC Be Serviced?
Most commercial HVAC systems need servicing at least twice a year, preferably before the cooling and heating seasons. Facilities with longer operating hours, heavy production demands, or sensitive indoor conditions need more frequent maintenance to keep their systems running. Scheduling during late summer also gives you a chance to make sure your system is ready for fall after a long cooling season and reduce as much downtime as possible. Manufacturing facilities can be especially vulnerable to HVAC downtime when ingredients, food products, or other materials need to stay at a specific temperature.
How Do Economizers Affect Rooftop Unit Efficiency?
An economizer helps a rooftop unit use cooler outdoor air instead of relying entirely on the AC. If the dampers, sensors, or controls are not working properly, the system may run the AC more than necessary or bring in too much outside air. As temperatures cool, a working economizer can help the rooftop unit use outside air more efficiently and reduce how often the AC needs to run.
How Do You Know If Your Commercial HVAC Needs Repair?
Get your commercial HVAC system checked out if it’s running longer than usual, making new noises, tripping breakers, or struggling to keep parts of the building comfortable. Higher utility bills can also be a clue that the equipment is working harder than it should. That doesn’t automatically mean you need a new commercial HVAC unit. A worn belt, dirty coil, failing motor, airflow problem, or control issue may be the real cause.
Schedule Commercial RTU Maintenance in Chicago, IL
Every commercial building has different HVAC demands. A food production facility doesn’t operate like an office or a plastics plant, and your maintenance plan shouldn’t treat them the same. Althoff Industries, Inc. has been helping Chicago-area businesses solve those kinds of HVAC challenges since 1961.
If your rooftop units have been working hard all summer, contact Althoff Industries, Inc. to schedule commercial HVAC maintenance before heating season. Challenges accepted!