Our Best Basic Cleaning Tips for Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration Systems
While April shower bring May flowers, the cleansing nature of the season inspires a much-neglected deep clean after a long winter. When it comes to commercial property, many business owners neglect the cleaning of their commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems. It is important to spend some time seasonally cleaning out your systems, but it is incredibly important for springtime. Here are some of our best basic cleaning tips for HVAC and refrigeration.
Commercial HVAC Cleaning Tips
Your outdoor HVAC system should be cleared of all debris on the outside and in the fan. It is also a good idea to pull weeds around the system and check to make sure leaves, twigs, and other debris are not jamming up the system. This will allow the system to process air better so it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a temperature.
Filters on your commercial property should be changed if it has been more than three months. This is especially important during springtime when there are multiple allergens in the air. While you are changing the filters, it might be a good idea to perform a visual sweep of the air ducts for excessive buildup or leaks in the system.
The air conditioning unit should be tested to make sure cool air is being pushed out and that it is running efficiently. Since the AC unit has not been active for months, it is important to test it before the hot summer months arrive. Realizing your air conditioner does not work the first time you turn it on when it hits 80 degrees is a sweat-inducing situation.
Commercial Refrigeration Cleaning Tips
If you have not cleaned your condensing coils or evaporator in more than a month, it is long overdue! Cleaning these yourself can be tricky as many coil solutions on the market actually have harsh chemicals that damage your coils over time. Instead, try soap and water yourself. Also, be sure to clean the coils up and down, never side to side as this can damage them.
The fan blades and the fan cover have grease and dust that have built up over time. This all should be removed and cleaned with a homemade de-greasing solution. It is important that the components are rinsed completely before they are replaced. This should help the fan run at an optimal speed, but it is always good to have a technician take a look. This rule applies for both your commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems.
A little known part to clean are the hinges and seals for the refrigeration unit. Spring is the perfect time to perform an annual cleaning and lubrication of the hinges and seals. When these are dirty or not properly functioning, the door will not seal properly and leak air, making it less efficient and spoiling the food quicker. This only costs you money.
The drain lines should be clear of debris and spring is the best time for this annual check. Outside of the drain lines, the suction line insulation should be checked for any damage. Decay or tears in the insulation will cause additional condensation and water damage.
Maintaining your commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems on an annual basis is one of the most basic steps you can take to keep your systems running efficiently and reliably all year long.