Three Ways To Minimize The Operating Cost Of Your Commercial Air Conditioning Unit
For any business, an ability to manage operating costs is vital. This is true for every facet of the business, including the air conditioning unit. An ability to control costs in this area can help save in both the short and long term. Ensure you are working towards managing and minimizing your air conditioning costs.
Keep The Air Ducts A Priority
When it comes to cutting costs, the condition of the air ducts within your facility can't be an afterthought. Even with an energy efficient HVAC unit and a commitment to regular maintenance, high cost for wasted energy and excessive wear and tear on the unit are possible. A leak in the ducts allows the already cooled air to escape instead of cool your space.
This will in turn cause the unit to constantly cycle on and off, in an effort to meet the temperature registered on the thermostat. This constant cycle leads to greater energy usage and more wear on the unit, leading to higher cost all around. Whenever you schedule your annual HVAC maintenance, make sure you are including a duct inspection as part of this process.
Seek Out Professional Help
If you operate within a larger building, you may have a facility manager or team on hand. A number of associates that operate within this area generally only have limited knowledge when it comes to commercial units. Unless someone on your team has specific training within the HVAC industry, don't hesitate to outsource your repair needs to an industry-trained technician to service your unit.
Failure to do so increases the risk of a repair error, which can lead to more malfunctions and greater costs. Doing so can also void the warranty of your unit, leaving you without an important safety needs.
Create A Temperature Control Protocol
Employees and managers should not have the option of adjusting the thermostat at will. There should be a set protocol by which the temperature can be adjusted. For instance, in a restaurant, the requirement might be that the temperature can only be lowered when the dining room reaches 80 percent capacity.
This type of requirement keeps your staff from adjusting the temperature based on their own personal preference. If you don't want to set this type of guideline in place, an investment in a programmable thermostat is best as it better regulates the temperature based on the time of day.
To keep your operating costs as low as possible, ensure you are making a commitment to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently as possible.