Maintaining a commercial building’s air conditioning system is generally best accomplished by hiring a staff of qualified technicians to handle all of the maintenance and repair that is necessary. This is typically the best option for commercial buildings because a faulty air conditioning system could leave the building out of business until the unit is fixed and operating again. Having a team of qualified professionals on staff will ensure that all maintenance is performed on schedule and that all repairs are taken care of as soon as possible, as opposed to waiting until a minor problem grows into a major one.

Replacing the HVAC system of a commercial building is a major ordeal, though it is sometimes a venture that must be undertaken in order to ensure that the building is able to function properly. These systems commonly need to be replaced when a commercial building is more than 20 years old. This is because the advances that have been made in technology in the last two decades have changed the way that energy is utilized, therefore changing the way that air conditioning units function. Several decades ago, repairs to an air conditioning system every few weeks were incredibly common, mainly due to the fact that there were no better options available. Buildings that were built several decades ago tend to have old A/C units in them. Though the costs associated with replacing an air conditioning system can be monumental, it tends to be the wisest decision in the long run, especially when the needs of the commercial building have changed from its needs when it was originally constructed.

When shopping around for the perfect replacement HVAC system, take into account not only the commercial building at this moment in time, but also its projected needs in the upcoming years. Ensure that the system that is installed is capable of meeting both the building’s requirements of today and the projected requirements. This will prevent having to replace the system again, which can be a very costly venture.

Even the new HVAC systems require proper maintenance and repair to avoid major problems. If it is not possible to hire a staff of technicians to take care of the maintenance of the unit, consider outsourcing this service to a company that specializes in air conditioning maintenance and repair. Though maintenance may seem like a waste of time and money in the beginning, it will be both a time and money saver in the long run.

Finding the proper A/C unit for a high rise building is one of the most challenging and time consuming tasks of owning and operating a high rise complex. It is very highly advised that planning for the HVAC system be started during construction of the building. This allows for planning to be made in advance and for the most appropriate unit and system of ducts be installed from the very beginning. This avoids the need for changes in construction later on. This is preferable because any changes made to the HVAC system of a high rise will almost always involve some level of construction. Not only is this incredibly costly, but it is very time consuming and can leave part, or all, of the high rise without air conditioning during the construction.

Start shopping for the perfect air conditioning system long before construction begins. Preferably, shopping for the system should occur around the same time that the plans for the building are being designed. This allows for the architect to make any adjustments that may be necessary to accommodate the required A/C unit and duct system.

When shopping for the perfect system to meet the needs of the building, take into account what the high rise will be used for. Commercial complexes have different needs than residential complexes. Complexes in Alaska have different needs than complexes in Florida. These unique needs must be taken into consideration to ensure that the proper equipment is purchased and installed. As with any other major purchase, be certain to get several opinions from a variety of different companies when searching for the perfect air conditioning system for a high rise complex.

Once the best system has been properly installed, it is imperative that proper maintenance be performed. Though this is true of any air conditioning system, it is especially true of a system that is used for a high rise complex due to the amount of work that it must perform on a daily basis. Failing to perform proper routine maintenance on any A/C system can lead to costly and untimely repairs, though this is incredibly exacerbated in systems in high rise buildings. Ideally, technicians will be on staff to handle all maintenance and repairs. This would ensure that all needs of the system are met as soon as possible, thereby resulting in a lower incidence rate of mechanical problems.

Hill York specializes in providing excellent A/C service, maintenance, and repair to a variety of clients. Part of why they are so skilled at exceeding the expectations set forth by the Florida Mechanical Code is because of the wide array of air conditioning systems that they service.

High rise complexes are one of Hill York’s specialties, though HVAC systems in these types of buildings are incredibly difficult to navigate and to properly care for. This is mainly due to the complex duct system that a high rise building must utilize in order to provide proper air circulation and ventilation.

Religious buildings located in southern Florida have used Hill York as their provider of HVAC system maintenance and repair for quite some time. Religious buildings tend to look specifically for providers that adhere to the Florida Mechanical Code because that provides them with the strongest guarantee of quality work. This is of utmost importance to them because they generally do not have extra funds to spend on unnecessary HVAC repairs that could be avoided with proper maintenance and routine upkeep of the system.

Hill York also does an excellent job of servicing Florida’s government and educational buildings. Hill York has been chosen to work on the A/C systems of these buildings due to the way that they adhere strictly to the Florida Mechanical Code. Though the Florida Mechanical Code is always important, it is imperative that contractors adhere to it when working on government buildings. Hill York has over 70 years of experience in the world of HVAC, making them experts in field of air conditioning maintenance, upkeep, and repair. This is vitally essential with their work on government and educational buildings since these buildings cannot ever be without properly functioning air conditioning. This is because these buildings are expected to be open to serve the public. If a university, for example, were to not have an adequately functioning A/C system towards the end of the Spring semester, there is a good chance that classes would have to be canceled for the health and safety of the staff, faculty, and students. This is simply not an option, and would disrupt the entire school year.

Additionally, Hill York is entrusted with the upkeep, maintenance, and repair of many health care buildings, such as hospitals and doctors’ offices. Like educational buildings, health care buildings require properly functioning HVAC units in order to go about their daily routines. Hill York has a proven record of excellence and maintaining the standards of the Florida Mechanical Code, which is largely why they have been chosen to care for many of south Florida’s health care facilities.

That doesn’t have to be your story. You do have options. Instead of being baked alive inside the house, arrange for an emergency air conditioning service to come by. Such companies generally provide service after traditional business hours, on holidays and weekends, and when time is of the essence. Several emergency HVAC service and repair companies are in business. However, the optimal time to look for a company to handle your emergency A/C needs is not when you find yourself stuck in an awful situation with the air conditioner out of commission. Instead, save yourself the frustration and start looking for a company that you can rely on in an emergency now, while everything is still alright.

When looking for the emergency service and repair company that you want to do business with, be certain to ask about the experience and training of the technicians. Be certain to ask especially about the experience of the technicians that are usually on call overnights, holidays, and weekends. Some companies give their newest, and often most inexperienced technicians the most unfavorable shifts. Others provide these shifts to the most experienced and efficient technicians.

Ask about fees while you are shopping around. Some companies charge based upon the time that the technician spends in your home while others charge based upon the job. From a consumer’s point of view, there are positive and negative aspects to both methods of billing. Though the method of billing is not generally of utmost importance, it is advantageous to be aware of how billing is handled before an emergency strikes.

Finally, be certain to ask if the technicians have experience working with your air conditioner’s model. A/C units are like cars; just because someone is capable of fixing one type of unit does not mean that person is qualified to fix a different type of unit. In residential settings, technicians are usually able to repair all models, though it is always best to ask.

The ventilation of a building should be considered from the very beginning, ideally during construction. Unlike other aspects of an air conditioning system, the ventilation system is nearly impossible to make major changes to after construction. Any changes would require that the entire building be reconstructed. Therefore, early consideration of ventilation needs is essential to avoid costly and time consuming repairs and changes later on.

Ideally, a ventilation and HVAC expert will be called in for consultation during the construction planning of a building to ensure that the proper ventilation system and control strategies are utilized from the very beginning. Many contractors believe that this is an unnecessary expense, but it should strongly be considered if at all possible. Once a building has been constructed, the ventilation system must be properly maintained, just like the air conditioning system. Providing maintenance and upkeep for the A/C unit, yet forgetting about the ventilation system, can yield incredibly disturbing results. A faulty ventilation system can be far more time consuming and costly to repair than a faulty A/C unit, mainly due to the need to reconstruct an entire building to make major changes to the ventilation.

Ensuring that the staff that repairs and maintains the HVAC system is also qualified to care for the ventilation system is the best way in which to avoid major repairs. It may mean high costs associated with the wages of the technicians, but it is very much worth it. A ventilation system must be surveyed at least monthly, though weekly is ideal. During the survey, the technicians should be checking for any possible obstructions. Obstructions are the most common causes of problems in building ventilation. Ironically, they are also the most easily prevented problems. Clogs are commonly the result of external factors, such as animals and weather. Birds are notorious for building nests in duct and ventilation systems, thereby causing lots of problems. Constant surveying of the duct and ventilation will allow a technician to recognize that a problem is occurring before it grows too large. Sweeping the ducts of the ventilation system, in much the same way that a chimney sweep gets rid of the soot in a chimney to maintain an unobstructed chimney.

Not only is building information modeling useful when constructing a new building, but it is also useful after the building has been constructed. For example, if the owner of a building notices that there is a water leak in the building, the building owner can take a look at the information modeling program to see where water valves are located in the building. This would prevent the entire building from having to be surveyed and would cut down on the time involved in the diagnosis and repair of the problem. If there is adequate information available in the modeling system, the building owner would also be able to locate all of the pertinent information regarding the water valve, including pieces of information such as the model number.

There has been a major push to acquire building information modeling systems for previously constructed buildings. The benefits would be plentiful, though the costs could be outrageous. Some people believe that the benefits outweigh the cost and others disagree. Therefore, building information modeling systems are not readily available for previously constructed buildings.

The Associated General Contractors and other contracting firms believe that BIM systems have greatly improved the world of building construction. Most contractors believe that building information modeling greatly reduces the costs associated with the construction of a new building by reducing the amount of time required to perform the construction. In August 2004, the National Institute of Standards and Technology confirmed that the use of building information modeling systems did, in fact, save time and money when constructing a new building.

Though the use of building information modeling can be greatly beneficial to contractors, some contractors find it to be more of a hassle than it is worth. This is typically due to the software requirements associated with building information modeling. This is generally regarded as an uneducated view given the extreme amounts of time and money that building information modeling system have been shown to save contractors once they learn how to use it. However, those contractors that do not find building information modeling systems to be beneficial usually claim that having to upgrade all of their software is not beneficial for their individual situations.

Overall, most people would agree that BIM systems are greatly beneficial and would like to see their use even in previously constructed building. However, the software requirements make this a wish that probably will not be granted in the near future, though they will likely be growing in popularity for initial construction. Soon enough, the use of building information modeling with be truly commonplace in the construction industry and will be used even for previously constructed buildings.

BACnet Module
The BACnet Module allows for optimal communication regarding the system. Monitoring and diagnostic work regarding the system can be communicated through this two way communication system, making relaying information about the system much more efficient than with any other rooftop system. Not only does the BACnet Module cut down on time spent repairing the unit, but it also helps to make it a more efficient unit by ensuring proper communication and maintenance.

Independent Motor Mount
The independent motor mount allows for easy access to the motor. The top panel does not have to be removed in order to access the motor, unlike many other models. This is ideal because it saves lots of time when performing maintenance and repair of the system. Time saved when performing maintenance can be used for other needs, thereby also saving tons of money associated with maintenance and repairs.

High and Low Pressure Switches
The high and low pressure switches are an amazing safeguard measure that the Strategos rooftop unit has. It safeguards the compressor from operating conditions that would cause damage. Though the use of these switches are optional with these units, it is highly advised that these switches always be enabled. There is virtually no reason not to utilize these switches. These switches work in a similar fashion as switches on a circuit board. This feature can save lots of money in costly repairs that are avoided when the switches prevent damage.

Slide Out Blower Deck
The slide out blower deck greatly improves a technician’s access to the belt, motor, and blower. This reduces the amount of time required to properly perform maintenance. In an industry where time is money, this is a feature of the Strategos rooftop unit that should not be overlooked. Time saved inspecting, replacing, and repairing the belt, blower, and motor can be used to care for the rest of the rooftop unit, thereby making this one of the most notable benefits of this unit. Ensure, though, that the time saved is used to ensure maintenance of the entire rooftop unit to ensure that the unit continues to function properly.

Filter Driers
The filter driers protect the rooftop units from moisture and dirt that would otherwise collect. These driers cut down dramatically on the amount of maintenance required for these rooftop units. Other units require much more maintenance because of dirt and debris that collects due to the absence of a filter like this one. Though this filter may seem as though it takes all of the work and problems out of a rooftop filter, this is not quite the case. Much of the work and problems are completely removed, but proper maintenance and upkeep still need to be performed.

Public schools tend to have the greatest amount of concerns in regards to their A/C systems. This is mainly due to their funding coming from the public dollar. Therefore, justifying HVAC upgrades can be quite an uphill battle. This is why it is important to consider the needs of a public school in Florida before the school is built. It is much easier to convince the public that additional funds are needed during construction than after the school has been built.

Maintenance and repair of public school HVAC systems in Florida is another concern that must be addressed. Ideally, the school district will hire a group of technicians to ensure that the A/C systems are properly maintained. Though school is typically out of session during the summer months when the A/C is working its hardest, it is important to remember that the schools will still be in use. Therefore, maintenance must be performed year round in order to ensure the proper functioning of the HVAC system.

Private schools are generally smaller in size than public schools. Therefore, the capabilities of an air conditioning system for these schools generally do not need to be as great as the capabilities of an A/C unit for a public school. However, that does not mean that maintenance should be neglected. Quite the opposite is the case. Small problems in small HVAC units and duct systems can lead to major issues. Therefore, even private schools should have technicians on staff to ensure the proper upkeep and maintenance of its A/C system.

Air conditioning units in Florida must be especially rugged. Though Florida is known for its beautiful weather and stunning beaches, Florida’s weather can be unpredictable. Hurricanes and hail are not uncommon during Florida’s summer months. Therefore, an A/C unit in Florida must be built well in order to withstand the weather that it may have to endure. When shopping for an HVAC system for a Florida school, it is imperative that one look specifically for systems intended for hot, humid, and unpredictable climates.

Maintenance for air conditioning systems in Florida should be performed twice as frequently as air conditioning systems in other parts of the country. This is due to the extreme amount of use that these systems endure year round. Unlike A/C systems in other parts of the country in which the air conditioning is only in use for three to four months out of the year, systems are used in Florida an average of eight to eleven months out of the year. This increased usage increases the amount of wear and tear.

Many people do not service their air conditioning units as frequently as needed, especially in Florida. Typically, people think that it is either a waste of time, a waste of money, or both. Nothing could be further from the truth. Performing adequate routine maintenance will save monumental amounts of both time and money in the long run. Routine maintenance can be planned in advance to fit in nicely around a busy person’s schedule. Problems that occur as a result of lack of maintenance tend to strike with a moment’s notice and are generally much more costly to repair than the total cost of maintenance that should have been performed. HVAC systems behave similarly to any other mechanical device, such as a car. Everyone knows that putting off an oil change for too many miles will result in a disaster and incredibly costly repairs. The same concept holds true with an HVAC system.

Many Florida-based companies choose to hire technicians onto their staff to take care of all of the maintenance that is required. In most cases, this is the best route to ensure proper maintenance. Additionally, it allows minor problems to be corrected right away before they turn into major problems that are costly both in time and financial resources to rectify.

When hiring staff to handle the care of the HVAC system is not an option, many companies in Florida hire an outside company to perform the necessary maintenance and repairs. When searching for a company to handle these issues, be prepared to shop around for a company that has technicians that will be able to meet your system’s needs. Be sure to ask about the company’s service and repair hours. Ask if they have a technician on call for evening, holidays, and weekends. Don’t feel the need to overlook a company that is a quality company and simply does not have any service available after traditional business hours. A variety of companies exist that offer only emergency services and make an excellent back up plan. Be certain to look into a back-up plan for emergencies before an emergency strikes. The time to be looking for a repair technician is not when the temperature is in the triple digits and the A/C unit suddenly stops working. It’s much less stressful for everyone involved to have that information available ahead of time so that no one has to search frantically through the phone book in an attempt to find a quality repair service at a moment’s notice.

Today’s ductwork consists of insulated flexible tubes that snake across the attic floor or under the house. Unfortunately, heating ducts are out of sight and often out of mind. Homeowners wouldn’t put up with leaking water pipes. But ductwork — carrying air instead of water — can leak for years, without anyone knowing it. Water damage is immediate, but the only reflection from poor ductwork will be increased heating and cooling costs.

Ducts can leak – anything that punctures a duct will cause lost air. This could be as simple as a protruding nail or staples used to hold the duct together. Then, too, joints and junctions where two pieces of duct come together may separate over time – especially if duct tape was used to seal them. Contrary to the name, duct tape is not very good at sealing ducts together. It fails in very hot and very cold conditions. It is better to use a mastic – a viscous sealant that is painted on.

Builders sometimes even forget to attach ductwork together or to connect it to the vent in the wall. As a result, an open duct wastefully pumps conditioned air into the attic or under the house, while the room it is supposed to serve never gets comfortable.

Poor air flow in an HVAC system also occurs when ducts are blocked or kinked. Just as a pinched garden hose cuts down the flow of water, a kinked duct drastically reduces the flow of air. Kinking can happen when ducts are run along tight corners, or into tiny spaces… Make sure ducts are properly supported, and don’t sag, twist or bend overmuch, and they have no gaps or breaks.

Design is important as well. Ducts that are too small for the volume of air are improperly designed. A duct that is too large in one room may leak conditioned air that should be going do a different room in the house. The air conditioner or heater may be either undersized or too large for the duct system, providing too little or much more pressure than the system was designed to handle. Often, builders may try so skimp on materials and use whatever they have in stock, instead of ordering the correct specified equipment.

If its duct system is poorly designed or poorly installed, a house will be inefficient, no matter how well insulated it may be, or how perfect its furnace and air conditioner are. That’s why it’s a good idea to have your duct system examined for leaks, blockages, and just poor design. Air conditioning companies familiar with duct testing can perform the examination, and your local utility may give you a sizable rebate when you have it done. You may be amazed at the monetary savings and the dramatic increase in comfort.

There are many causes for poor air flow in an HVAC system. While many of them are correctable, it takes time and effort to find the problems, as ducts are one of the more hidden aspects of an HVAC system.