If your business partakes in any sector of the industrial and commercial market, it’s likely you’ve been working hard all winter long to supply HVAC maintenance and service to your customers.

However, it’s also likely that when spring rolls around, the demand for HVAC maintenance drops off until the onset of a summer heat wave necessitates that cooling needs pick back up again.

While HVAC contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and service companies have grown used to the ebb and flow of seasonal demand, the end of winter signals spring cleaning — which requires some much-needed HVAC maintenance.

As the arctic chill recedes, spring is a time when everyone collectively gives their HVAC system a momentary rest. However, when the first sizzle of summer snaps its steamy towel in our direction, businesses are too often stuck with the sting of a failing air conditioning unit.

According to many HVAC contractors, more than 50 percent of all air conditioner failures are the result of improper cleaning (or failure to clean at all).

The following HVAC maintenance checkpoints are necessary to check in the spring so all air conditioning systems are a go once the weather warms up:

• Check the condenser unit.
After fall and winter, the condenser unit’s coils can become clogged with fallen leaves and other plant debris. Damage to the coils may also occur during strong winter storms, where snow and ice put pressure on them. Be sure to remove debris from the coils, straighten any bent coils, and then clean them with soapy water.

• Inspect the wiring.
Unfortunately, mice and other rodents seek shelter in a/c unit wiring over the winter. That’s why it is important to check the wiring for signs of a nest, which may mean there is damage such as burnt wires, loose connections, or electrical shorts.

• Survey refrigerant levels.
When refrigerant levels are low, this may indicate the system has a leak. Before adding more refrigerant, it’s important to repair the unit before adding more refrigerant.

• Clean drain lines, the blower fan, and evaporator coils.
During the bad weather months, blockages of mold, mineral deposits, dust and dirt may clog drain lines, blower fans, and evaporator coils. Remove any debris you find and clean for proper drainage and airflow.

• Replace filters.
The quality of the filter dictates how often it needs to be changed. For example, fiberglass or charcoal filters last only one month, while pleated filters need to be changed once every three months.

A perfectly functioning HVAC system works to reduce energy consumption and help keep a business’s utility bills from spiking due to seasonal temperature changes. In fact, it’s in your best interest to offer a maintenance service agreement upfront. Customers are typically pleased with this high level of service to keep their HVAC system running smoothly.

As more businesses are relying on commercial energy management programs to flatten energy costs, springtime HVAC maintenance has become a great opportunity for anyone who provides HVAC products and services. Preventative maintenance is a big factor for businesses looking to balance out energy costs.

To learn more about HVAC maintenance as part of a comprehensive commercial energy management program, visit South Jersey Energy.