What’s Included In Industrial Heating And Cooling Services?
HVAC, that is, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, is complex even in smaller buildings. In commercial-sized buildings, however, the systems involved have to be scaled up to industrial levels. As you might expect, this renders any problems that occur much bigger (and more expensive). Nevertheless, the heating and cooling of commercial buildings is an important consideration for the owners of those buildings.
After all, if your building becomes uncomfortable for your visitors, they may simply leave; this can easily begin to cost your business money. On the other hand, if your building serves as a place of refuge during inclement weather, comfort may drive business your way and bring customers in. Or, in an office building, uncomfortable workers are likely to become less productive; the same is true for a manufacturing building or other similar operations.
That’s why it’s important to have a trusted HVAC contractor to perform industrial heating services and industrial cooling services, regardless of what type of business you are running.
In this article, we’ll explain what’s included in industrial heating and cooling services, as well as how to find the best HVAC contractor in your area to ensure that your business can thrive, no matter what the temperature is outside.
How an Industrial HVAC System Works
Commercial buildings are often very large and have multiple rooms, all of which need to be kept at a consistent, comfortable temperature. This starts with a well-constructed ventilation system: a series of ducts that lead to vents in every room. Air is circulated throughout these ducts by way of large, industrial-sized fans. These fans are contained in the large boxes you may have seen on the tops of many commercial buildings. This air is either heated or cooled by the HVAC system, depending on the need.
When the weather is cold, the HVAC system makes use of a furnace to warm the air. These furnaces usually use combustible fuel, such as propane or natural gas, to generate heat. This heat is then absorbed by the air that is circulated throughout the building.
When the weather is warm, the HVAC system cools the building down using an air conditioner. This air conditioner works by using a huge condenser that contains a refrigerant coil. This coil contains a liquid with a low boiling point: as the hot air moves across the coil, the liquid begins to vaporize, which draws heat energy out of the air and cools it down. Now the industrial fan can then circulate the cooled air throughout the building, bringing every room to a comfortable temperature of around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
What sets an industrial heating and cooling system apart from other systems is its sheer size. In larger buildings, it is likely to require a more complex control panel and, in some cases, even an entire HVAC control center.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
An HVAC system is large and complex, and as with any large and complex system, there are a lot of things that can go wrong with them. Often, problems start in the ventilation system. Because the ductwork constantly has air being blown through it, it tends to get dirty over time. Dirt and dust will build up inside the ducts, eventually slowing the flow of air throughout the system. Once this happens, the HVAC system will become far less efficient,, being forced to work much harder to achieve the desired temperatures. In turn, this leads to an increased energy bill.
Electrical problems are also common with HVAC systems. The whole system is controlled by an electric thermostat that the building supervisor sets to the temperature that they want the building to remain at. This thermostat will cycle the system on when the temperature gets too high or low and cycle it back off when the temperature has returned to a comfortable level. If there is a problem with the thermostat, however, the HVAC system will either fail to keep the building at a comfortable temperature, or it will cycle on more than it needs to, which will also drive up energy costs.
There are other issues that can occur that are specific to either the furnace or the air conditioner portion of the HVAC system. For example, the air conditioner coil can begin to leak coolant. Because it’s important that the coolant remains under high pressure, a leak can seriously compromise the effectiveness of the air conditioner. Similarly, the furnace can begin to leak propane or natural gas, which, in addition to reducing the system’s ability to provide heat for the building, can also be a safety hazard.
Industrial HVAC Services
Regular maintenance is critical, not only for the comfort of your building, but also for the success of your business, whatever it may be. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in industrial heating services, such as those offered by Entek. Entek will send certified, highly qualified HVAC professionals who will perform the basic maintenance your system needs to work effectively.
Basic maintenance will include cleaning ducts and replacing filters as necessary. It will also involve checking all of the electrical systems to ensure that the thermostat and related mechanisms are operating correctly. Each element of the air conditioner and furnace will also be tested to ensure that there are no leaks or other issues. Finally, the control system itself will be inspected to ensure it’s in proper working order.
HVAC professionals can also help you ensure that your building is in compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Often, commercial buildings are required to meet certain environmental standards. Failing to do so can prove to be costly for your business. Fines can quickly add up. Entek will help to ensure that your HVAC system is operating within government standards. In doing so, they’ll also ensure that you receive any tax credits you are eligible for.
