Timberline Blog

How To Make Your Commercial HVAC System More Efficient

Some business owners and decision-makers view the expense associated with operating a commercial HVAC system as a “sunk cost” of sorts and don’t pay much attention to it. If the system is operational and the building is holding a reasonably comfortable temperature, they focus on other “more pressing” concerns. That is understandable.

However, in today’s competitive business environment, every penny can make a crucial difference. Whether dollars saved go toward operational costs, research and development, or directly to the bottom line to make stakeholders happy, they all matter. Consequently, it pays to understand how to make your commercial HVAC system more efficient. And it is easier than you might think.

A Little Attention to Your Commercial HVAC System Goes a Long Way

When considering how to manage your commercial HVAC system, it is crucial to remember that ensuring it is serviced regularly and repaired as needed to optimize performance delivers immediate and long-term benefits.

In the short term, maybe you will see modest savings in your energy costs. But when properly invested, even small monthly gains can grow to be significant sums over time. And that is just one way that greater HVAC efficiency benefits your business.

Assessing and addressing system performance has several related benefits. For example, equipment that runs more efficiently experiences less wear and tear. As a result, it is less likely to suffer costly breakdowns. It also lasts longer, reducing your replacement expense. So, as you arrange for expert service and maintenance on your system, you can congratulate yourself on pushing those issues much further into the future and enabling longer stretches of uninterrupted operations.

But how do you ensure your commercial HVAC system maintains peak efficiency? Read on to find out.

Your Roadmap to More Efficient HVAC System Performance

Not surprisingly, there is no quick fix that will guarantee outstanding performance going forward. It is all about consistency in maintaining your system.

However, once you take the actions below and get into a rhythm of caring for your commercial HVAC system, it may start feeling essentially effortless.

1. Have your HVAC system audited. HVAC service technicians informally assess the condition of your system every time they work on it. That is very beneficial. However, you should also have someone do a more detailed audit of your system periodically, especially if that process has never been completed or you don’t know when it was last done. An audit is a more detailed system inspection that can provide helpful information about its condition and performance. The results can serve as a baseline for any improvements you make in the system’s functioning.
2. Address any “back-burner” repairs or enhancements. HVAC system fixes and improvements—like all business expenses—are subject to budget availability. However, you should not let these issues languish on the back burner. The sooner you address any backlog of work, the sooner you start reaping the benefits of a more efficient system—and the less likely you will experience disruption caused by a significant mechanical issue.
3. Set up a preventative maintenance schedule. Regular service is vital to keeping your system running efficiently. Rather than calling annually to request assistance, you are better off setting up a plan with our provider. Then you and they know your service anniversary is approaching, and the crucial inspection (and any repair work needed) won’t “slip through the cracks. Also, as noted above, no necessary work gets delayed once you are on a maintenance schedule.
4. Upgrade your HVAC system control technology. If you have aging thermostats and other control technology, you can experience immediate (and often substantial) efficiency improvements by installing the latest smart technology. Doing so also typically enables you to manage your system remotely, which can save you time and effort.
5. Upgrade or replace your commercial HVAC system. Proper maintenance and timely repairs will help a commercial HVAC system achieve its maximum lifespan. However, all systems have their limits. If yours has reached its later stages, upgrading or replacing components or the entire thing as needed is a good idea. That is not an expense that any business or facility owner looks forward to, of course, but the alternative can be similarly costly as the system slowly (and expensively) degrades. Plus, being proactive about replacing your HVAC system prevents climate control disruptions that can be very damaging to the reputation of a business or landlord.
6. Get everyone who uses a facility involved. Workers in a commercial building are there to do a job, so that is their focus. They typically aren’t thinking about how to use the HVAC system most efficiently and effectively. However, most people are happy to do their part to save energy, help the environment, and, in the process, enable better HVAC system performance. You can secure their assistance by educating people about your system and how best to use it. Things as simple as dressing appropriately for the building’s temperature settings, resisting the urge to “tweak” the thermostat, etc., can be very beneficial.

Connect With a Trusted Commercial HVAC System Service Provider

You can accomplish all the above actions more easily if you have a commercial HVAC system service provider you know and trust. They can be a valuable resource about HVAC technology in general and, once they have worked on your system, your heating and cooling components in particular. Nothing feels better than having a service provider who starts functioning more like a partner.

You will find that HVAC companies are glad to hear from you, even if you currently don’t need service or repairs. That is certainly true for us at Timberline Mechanical. We are happy to answer any questions about our services and learn about any challenges you are experiencing or anticipating.

So, if you aren’t already a Timberline Mechanical customer, we encourage you to find out why so many other companies and commercial property owners are.

Contact us at your convenience, and let’s talk about how to keep your current commercial HVAC system operating at peak performance—from regular maintenance to expert repairs.

Tags: 2023 commercial HVAC efficiency standards, commercial HVAC energy efficiency, energy star commercial HVAC