What Is the Usual Life Expectancy of a Commercial HVAC Unit?

August 20, 2023

What Is the Usual Life Expectancy of a Commercial HVAC Unit? The life expectancy of a commercial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit is a big concern for many facility managers and business owners. After all, such systems are significant investments that, ideally, should serve your establishment for a substantial period. Learning more about commercial HVAC units can help you determine the average lifespan of these systems while also giving you ideas on how to keep your unit working at an optimal level. How Long Do Commercial HVAC Systems Last? On average, a well-maintained commercial HVAC unit should last between 15 to 20 years. However, this is just an average range, and this number can change due to a variety of reasons. Certain factors, including the type of system, its usage, location, maintenance frequency, and the quality of the installation, can either decrease or increase this lifespan. Here is a more in-depth review of the different factors that influence the lifespan of a commercial HVAC system. 1. Type of System Different types of HVAC systems have different life expectancies because of their unique structures and functions. For example, rooftop units, commonly used in commercial applications, are exposed to more...

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How HVAC Systems Operate in Commercial Buildings

June 21, 2023

How HVAC Systems Operate in Commercial Buildings Regardless of the type of building you own or manage, not having the right HVAC system installed in your facility could lead to a loss of clientele and income. It can also make things difficult for your workforce as extreme temperatures occur, making the work environment less than ideal. While there are several types of commercial HVAC systems available to you, each unit is more complex than standard residential HVAC systems. Before you buy a commercial HVAC unit for your building, you should know how they work. Understanding Commercial HVAC Systems Commercial HVAC systems are designed to perform the same function as residential systems, which is to keep anyone inside the building comfortable while delivering high-quality air. These systems can be powered by gas or electricity. Ventilation systems are equipped with fans that bring in outside air and send it through a filtration component. The contaminated air in your building will then be expelled, which helps keep CO2 levels down. Effective ventilation systems dilute gases, keep respiratory conditions at bay, and reduce odors. If you didn’t have this system in your building, there would be unwanted particles in the air, which would make...

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5 Myths About Commercial HVAC Systems

October 19, 2017

Misconceptions related to an HVAC system can prevent building managers from keeping their systems in good shape. Commercial HVAC systems maintain the temperature of the building and keep the place comfortable throughout the year. Cooling and heating are equally important during the summer, winter, spring, and fall. But many people are under the false impression that they are essential only during the summer and winter seasons. So they tend to neglect them at other times. Besides this, there are some misconceptions related to the HVAC systems which prevent building managers from keeping their systems in good shape. Myth 1 – There is No Need to Fix a System Until it is Broken People think that that they need not take any action or fix the system until it breaks down. It is a mistake to believe that nothing can be wrong with the system until it is broken. In fact, a commercial HVAC system can continue to work with minor flaws or broken components for a long time. These defects may not be visible. If they are not rectified in time they can damage the whole system. It is imperative to arrange for regular inspections to get hold of these...

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Maintain Your Cooling Tower Efficiently to Save Money in the Long Run

September 27, 2017

Regular maintenance of the cooling tower will help in increasing the efficiency of the cooling tower and reducing overall costs. Commercial HVAC owners are on a constant lookout for ways and means to reduce their energy consumption while trying to gain maximum cost-efficiency from their HVAC systems. The bigger fight however, is to try and keep the utility bills lower. One way to achieve this is by maintaining your cooling tower efficiently. What is a Cooling Tower? A cooling tower is a device that is used to remove excess heat that is generated when the HVAC functions to either heat or cool a building. Cooling towers remove the excess (or waste) heat by evaporating some amount of the water that circulates inside the system into the atmosphere. These are usually seen outside the building or adjacent to the building housing the HVAC system Two Types of Cooling Towers There are two types of cooling towers: Natural draft – A natural draft cooling tower cools by way of natural convection of the airflow. As the air inside the cooling tower becomes warm and moist, it rises to the top in the form of steam that evaporates, and the cooler air that...

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5 Reasons Your Commercial HVAC System Needs Preventive Maintenance

September 15, 2017

A well-maintained HVAC system can contribute a lot to the success of a business. Your HVAC system has a great impact on the commercial activities that take place inside your building. It not only forms an integral part of the building but also plays an important role in the growth of a business. In this post, St. Louis HVAC experts explain why preventive maintenance of commercial HVAC systems in so important. A Good HVAC System Makes for a Pleasant Shopping Experience The customer is the key to the success of any business. So it is essential to provide an enticing ambiance in the shop or restaurant. Commercial HVAC systems play an important role in making the place comfortable for customers. A well-maintained heating and cooling system can make a huge difference in attracting more and more customers retaining them. A Malfunctioning HVAC May Drive Away Your Customers If the place is stuffy or hot in summers or if the place is too cold during the winters, customers will likely stay away from it. If your building’s HVAC system is malfunctioning and causing discomfort the old clients who had earlier patronized the place because of its good environment may look for...

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Mold Prevention and Treatment – St. Louis Commercial HVAC

August 15, 2017

Mold prevention and treatment are important steps to keeping employees happy and healthy. Mold infestation is extremely problematic for HVAC systems. Mold spores have been known to cause a large amount of property damage. Moreover, in workplace establishments, it can lead to significant health hazard to workers. Mold spreads quickly and can cause those who are allergic to have serious reactions. However, clearing a mold infestation is not an impossible task. Why HVAC Systems are Susceptible to Mold HVAC systems are susceptible to mold growth. Part of the cause is the constant presence of moisture which makes it a very conducive environment for fungus and mold. The fight against mold is more really a fight against chronically humid, moisture-laden, and damp areas in the house. Therefore the HVAC system proves to be one of the most favorable locations for breeding mold infestations. In particular, one can find mold accumulation and growth in the following places: In and around condensation drain pans On cooling coils Inside the interiors of the duct work On humidifying equipment On cooling towers On dehumidifying equipment On return-air plenums Outdoor air intakes On screens, grills and air filters that are clogged with dirt and debris It...

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Enhanced Efficiency Reduces Operational Costs of Commercial HVAC

July 25, 2017

Scott-Lee Heating can help enhance the efficiency of your commercial HVAC system and minimize operational costs. What most facility and property managers desire to find is a way to enhance the efficiency of their commercial HVAC systems so as to minimize their operational costs. It becomes even more important during the summer months when cooling is absolutely necessary. You can make use of specialized equipment that is installed in the HVAC system to achieve higher efficiency. Read on to know more about these components. Enhanced Airflow You can integrate terminal units into your HVAC to improve airflow. They improve the airflow quality in your building, ensuring more comfort to your employees. St. Louis HVAC technicians explain that the enhanced airflow does not put pressure on the systems, which means they will use less energy. In most cases, outdated HVAC systems can only distribute a limited amount of air in a room. Terminal units, on the other hand, can distribute various amounts of air depending on need. Up-to-date HVAC systems ensure more efficiency, which translates into lower operational costs. These terminal units are integrated into the system ductwork just close to every room of the building. They also work with each...

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How to Reduce St. Louis Commercial HVAC Costs and Wasted Energy

February 26, 2017

According to the US Department of Energy, more than 30 percent of the energy and cost used in powering Commercial HVAC systems gets wasted. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are some of the features that commercial consumers look for while purchasing heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, many are unaware that HVAC systems are in fact one of the most energy-intensive systems used in commercial setups. St. Louis HVAC experts believe that reducing this huge energy waste is imperative for higher sustainability, better energy efficiency, and cost reduction. There are 6 simple, yet effective, ways commercial business owners can achieve these. 1. Regular HVAC filter replacement Dirty filters block airflow in the system. This can lead to an overworked HVAC system and poor air quality inside the building. Dirty filters also lead to a number of maintenance issues and increase operating costs. Ideally, air filters in a commercial should be checked or replaced every 1 to 3 months. These regular maintenance checks can reduce energy waste by 5 to 10 percent. 2. Using programmable thermostats St. Louis HVAC experts have found that in commercial HVAC setups, the temperature setting remains constant for long periods of time. Often, the...

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The Difference Between Commercial and Residential HVAC Systems

November 2, 2016

There are various types of HVAC systems and they are classified as commercial and residential. Commercial HVAC systems are used in retail stores, hotels, office buildings, and other large buildings. Residential HVAC systems are used in homes and small businesses. Both types of systems perform the same function but there are some key differences between them. Size Commercial HVAC systems are much larger than their residential counterparts due to the fact that they serve larger areas. They are also more complex in terms of thermostats and dampers. For these reasons, commercial systems require much more power to function. Complexity Commercial HVAC systems are more complex as they have to take into account the types of rooms and to be adaptable accordingly. The temperature may vary depending on the number of rooms, the number of people occupying the building, and what it is used for. It is possible that some rooms such as server rooms may have to be maintained at specific temperatures. Location Commercial HVAC systems are normally placed on the roof of a building, while residential systems are typically placed inside the home. The roof is considered the ideal location for commercial HVAC systems because a large system produces noise that causes disruption....

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Does Your St. Louis HVAC System Need to be Repaired or Replaced?

October 24, 2016

At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you determine if your HVAC system needs repairs or just needs to be replaced. Inefficient HVAC systems can cost your home or business a lot of money, and lead to health and comfort issues. So, it’s important to understand whether your system needs repairs or if it needs to be replaced. At Scott-Lee Heating, we come across some homeowners and business owners who put off HVAC repairs or replacement to save on costs for as long as they can, but by doing so they end up doing more harm than good. By keeping a track of the maintenance needs of an HVAC system, it can reduce the monthly energy costs, keep repair costs low, and improve the home or work environment. Here are 9 steps that can help you determine whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement. When deciding on whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement, you should seek help from a competent St. Louis HVAC expert. Find out the essential information about the current system including age and repair history. This will help the HVAC contractor make a better decision about repairs. If the system is older, replacement would be...

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