7 Causes Of Air Conditioner Compressor Failure

It’s 100 degrees out … and your air conditioner died.

When you manage an office building filled with tenants, that can be one of your worst nightmares. While we all love enjoying a warm, summer day, being stuck in an office with no way to cool down isn’t part of the list.

Your air conditioner’s compressor is often called the heart of the system for good reasons.

• The system can’t function without it

• Its job is to compress the refrigerant and pump it throughout the system to remove heat and humidity from the air

The compressor is a reliable part of the system, and with a little maintenance, it should keep working without a problem throughout its life expectancy. If it does fail, it’s usually a sign of a major problem, and is sometimes impossible to fix.

The common causes of air conditioner compressor problems are:

Dirty Coils

Dirt, grime, dust and mineral deposits all accumulate on the condenser coil over time. If it builds up enough, it can no longer expel heat from the system, and it begins running constantly trying to cool your space. The increased pressure causes the compressor to overheat and fail.

Low Refrigerant

When a refrigerant line has holes or cracks, the refrigerant begins to leak. If it isn’t fixed and filled, it becomes so low the compressor has to work harder to pump refrigerant into the system. The strain will eventually cause the compressor to break down.

Too Much Refrigerant

Too much refrigerant is equally as bad for a compressor. If too much refrigerant is put into the system, or if the wrong type of refrigerant is used, it can cause the compressor to stop working altogether.

Blocked Refrigerant Lines

The compressor pumps refrigerant through the lines of the system. If these lines become clogged or blocked, it can cause pressure to build, the temperature to rise and overheat, and eventually cause AC compressor failure.

Incorrect Refrigerant Lines

If you start to notice your air conditioner isn’t cooling as it once did, calling in a technician is the first step. However, if the HVAC technician is anything but reputable, you might not get the service you expect. Some HVAC technicians may replace a leaking or broken line with one that is too large or too small for your system. This process can cause the system to build pressure, overheat, and eventually stop the compressor altogether.

Electrical Problems

Electrical problems start out small and build rapidly. Yet once damage is done, there is usually no repairing a compressor – replacement is your only option. A regular maintenance schedule can allow an experienced technician to find and repair damaged wiring, short fuses, and other potential hazards within the system before they happen.

Inadequate Lubricant

Think of a compressors oil lubricant in much the same way as blood in your body. It’s what keeps the system functional. When there isn’t enough, the system works overtime, and eventually fails altogether.

Take good care of your AC compressor as we head into the warmest months of the year. When you perform regular maintenance, you’ll not only ensure you have a cool atmosphere when you need it most, you’ll also extend the life of your compressor to the fullest, saving you money in the process. 

A Guide To Energy Recovery Ventilators

Looking for a way to reduce the load of your HVAC equipment? Looking for a way to make your heating and cooling process more energy efficient? Then it may be time to look at an energy recovery ventilator (ERV).

ERVs are designed to recycle energy from the building’s exhaust air, using it to pre-treat the outside air as it enters. A building’s exhaust is usually wasted as its sent back into the atmosphere. By using it to pre-condition fresh outdoor air for both temperature and humidity, it dramatically reduces a building’s energy costs, and it lowers the workload of the heating and cooling system. And because the workload on the HVAC equipment can be dramatically reduced, often times you can downsize new or retrofit equipment for an immediate return on investment.

There are different types of ERVs, depending on the application needed for your building. In general terms, there are tour types:

• Rotary heat exchanger (wheel)
• Plate heat exchanger (fixed core)
•  Heat pipe heat exchanger (refrigerant)
• Runaround coils (water)

A rotary heat exchanger (wheel) is a plastic or metal device that rotates between the exhaust and the outdoor air streams. It picks up heat from one air stream and transfers it to the other. While metal wheels can only transfer heat, plastic wheels can absorb and release moisture as well. Because of their relatively low initial cost, ease of maintenance, and smaller footprint, wheels are the most popular ERV.

A plate heat exchanger (fixed core) are generally larger and more expensive than wheels, but have no moving parts, which makes them safer applications for certain situations, such as hospitals. Instead of using a wheel, a fixed core allows air streams to pass through a series of channels, heating up or cooling down the material between the channels and allowing energy to transfer.

A heat pipe heat exchanger are more limited that the previous two. Heat pipes are copper tubes with refrigerant inside of them. The tubes run between the exhaust and the outside air stream; one heats the refrigerant, causing it to evaporate, the other cools the pipe, allowing the refrigerant to condense, warming the cooler air in the process. The newly cooled refrigerant than flows back, and the process begins again.

Runaround coils offer similarities to heat pipes, but are often preferred when exhaust and outdoor airflows are separated by great distances. A water coil is installed in the exhaust air stream, and a second in the incoming ventilation air stream. The two coils are piped together and filled with a water/glycol mix to keep it operational. As heat is picked up in one air stream, it is released in the other.

What makes them a growing choice in commercial applications today? Besides the energy savings, there is also a push the the US Green Building Council’s LEED system that dictates how much ventilation air must be brought into a building. As older buildings are being rehabbed and brought up to code, more outside air is needed. This is where ERVs come into play.

If you have further questions about improving the efficiency of your building’s HVAC system, or about installing an ERV to improve the air flow in your commercial location, we’re here to help.

Tips To Reduce Commercial Heating And Cooling Costs

Every month, a business owner is reminded of how efficient their HVAC is operating within the building; it comes in the form of a utility bill. And while many just accept it and move on, there are many things an owner can do to make their monthly costs even more efficient.

The US Small Business Administration estimates that as much as 40 percent of the electricity used each month in a typical commercial building is for heating and cooling. Yet no matter how much you are spending every single month, the real difference between efficiency and inefficiency comes from having the right information, and using it to cut down heating and cooling costs whenever possible.

The best tip for any commercial building’s management looking to cut costs can be boiled down to one task: reducing the workload of the HVAC system. You can do that in several ways.  

Start by improving a building’s insulation

All commercial buildings are insulated; building codes make it mandatory to insulate up to  a certain level. Unfortunately, because most buildings are put up under strict guidance to budgets, they are usually put up with only the minimal amount of insulation. And because the company putting up the building is rarely the one managing or owning it, the two have distinctly different viewpoints on budgets. Higher insulation means better efficiencies. Whenever possible, you can increase the level of insulation and have it make immediate differences in the overall comfort level of the building’s occupants. Common measures include installing energy efficient windows and lighting systems, and redoing the roof to minimize the solar impact on the building itself.

Upgrade the air conditioner

In most cases, it is more costly to keep a building cool than it is to keep it warm. Which means the first place to upgrade and make more efficient is with the air conditioning system. Today’s technology improves cooling systems greatly; even changes from one year to the next can have a big impact. Studies show that an air conditioning system today can improve efficiencies by as much as 20 percent from one built ten years ago, and as much as 100 percent as one build in the 1970s.

Consider using energy recovery ventilators

An energy recovery ventilator is a mechanical ventilation system designed to produce energy savings. They recycle energy from the building’s exhaust air, then pretreat the outside air before it enters the building. This preconditioned outside air reduces the load of the HVAC unit, and therefore reduces the required capacity of the equipment itself. In most cases, payback on an energy recovery ventilator can occur within the first three years.

Of course, how each business can fully optimize their heating and cooling system, and reduce costs for maximum efficiencies is always determined on a case by case basis. If you would like a full analysis of the effectiveness of your HVAC system, and find out how you can make little changes to save the most, give us a call today. 

The Most Important Things To Include In Your HVAC Maintenance Contract

Smart business owners know the best way to save money is to keep things working effectively and efficiently all year through. It’s not maintenance items that break the budget; it’s the unexpected events that cause instant problems.

The $25 oil change is much more cost effective than spending thousands replacing the car you drive to work every day because of a blown engine. In the same token, maintaining a HVAC system by repairing leaks, replacing hoses and adding fluids will save you thousands over the possibility of having a major piece of equipment destroyed due to lack of care.

And while there are many commercial HVAC companies vying for your attention today, be warned: there are many less-than-reputable companies willing to low-ball their bids, knowing they can make up the costs later. If a HVAC maintenance contract is on your list of things to finalize this year, consider the following:

Timing Of The Repairs

The reason you are considering a HVAC maintenance contract in the first place is to avoid downtime at your facility. Downtime means productivity loss and angry tenants/employees, which means avoiding interruption is probably one of your key desires. Not only should you focus in on how frequently a HVAC maintenance contract authorizes a visit by a HVAC technician, but also how fast emergency work will be handled. A quality service company will try its best to keep your system running and prevent failures from occurring. But when an emergency does arise, it’s nice to know that how quickly they will respond.

Turnaround Time For Repairs

Cut-rate service providers try to keep their costs low by keeping spare parts at a minimum. That means when a problem arises with your HVAC equipment, instead of having a replacement part on the truck or at the warehouse, they may have to specially order it in. That can take days or even weeks to make the repair, allowing your facility to run at a less than optimal level. For some parts, it might not be noticeable. But try explaining that to tenants on a 90 degree day when the part for the air conditioning system won’t be available for several working days.

Quality Of Work

When you don’t have the expertise, it’s hard to know if someone is providing you with top-notch service, or being less than up-front with you. While looking at testimonials and online reviews can give you an overall picture of the company’s reputation, you can also look at the way they charge their customers. Do they provide rate sheets that make sense, or do they hide their fees in the fine print? Can you get a clear picture of what you’ll be charged up-front, or is it always a wait and see approach? Ask a few questions if you’re concerned with bids or breakdowns. Sometimes the way a person answers can reveal a lot.

Budget Control

A reputable HVAC company realizes you have a budget to maintain. They understand that unplanned events can cause financial duress for some companies. No matter what your budget constraints, an HVAC contractor should be able to tell you upfront how a HVAC maintenance contract will work within those guidelines. Most will have options – do you need one that covers basic repairs, or an all-inclusive that provides 24 hour emergency service as well?

Consider your options, work together with your HVAC service provider, and put one less thing out of your mind as you continue on with your busy days.

Building Your Own Commercial HVAC Prevention Plan

As a business owner or manager, you are tasked with being an expert at a wide variety of things. And while some things may come naturally to you, there are probably quite a few things that don’t. Like taking control over one of your most costly expenses, your HVAC equipment.

That’s why building a commercial HVAC prevention plan can be the best thing for your business. But before you begin, where do you start? What are the most important pieces of the plan?

The first step is in realizing that your HVAC equipment changes all the time. What works today may not work tomorrow. A change in the environment can change the effectiveness of your equipment. Depending on the age, condition, location, usage, size and type of your equipment, different tasks need to be completed on a regular basis. These include:

Warm weather tasks:

• Replace filters
• Check belts and pulleys and replace as needed
• Clean all condenser and evaporator coils
• Clear drain lines
• Check all electrical connections
• Check thermostats and other controls
• Check air flow
• Check fan and blower motors
• Check refrigerant and inspect for leaks if low

Cold weather tasks:

• Replace filters
• Check belts and pulleys and replace as needed
• Check all electrical connections
• Check thermostats and other controls
• Check fan and blower motors
• Check ignition and burner
• Check heat exchanger

These are standard tasks that any good HVAC prevention plan should include. With these in mind, find a HVAC service company you can trust, one that services commercial accounts on a regular basis. When the contractor comes in, ask:

How long will maintenance visits take?
When should I schedule maintenance visits?
What do I do in an emergency?
What documentation will I receive after each maintenance visit?
What else can I do to improve my HVAC system performance?

Likewise, a HVAC contractor will ask you a few questions as well.

How has the system been performing since the last visit?
What issues do you have?
How often is the system operating?
What is the usage of the building? Is demand meeting supply?
How high are your energy bills? Have they changed significantly recently?

If you choose the right commercial HVAC maintenance plan, your contractor will have your best interests at heart, and will provide you with the best service to meet your daily needs.

Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Office To Blame?

Poor air quality has made its way to the front pages of the news. Consistently you can find articles describing various pollutants alive and well in buildings and facilities all across America, ones that ultimately are making people sick.

Is there a reason to be concerned about how your building is impacted?

Overall, today’s buildings are being built and remodeled to provide top notch energy efficiency throughout. Windows are sealed and fresh air is scarce – all for the sake of trying to create a perfect environment on the inside of the building. And that’s when things start to happen.

High rises, particularly those over parking garages or loading docks, can take in carbon monoxide and carry it into the building through the fresh air intake vents. If smokers are close to the building, the air intake vent can breath it in. Printers and fax machines emit ozone. Chemicals can linger for days from cleaning and pesticide use both inside and outside the building. Add in building renovations as tenants move in and out, and you can include construction dust, paint fumes, and offgassing fumes from carpets and furniture, and very quickly you can have a complete chemical stew within your building.

Depending on your current HVAC equipment, it simply may not be pumping in enough fresh air to overcompensate for all that is happening with the air inside. And with people spending 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week or more in these conditions, things begin to happen. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, itchy eyes, allergies, and respiratory illnesses are among many problems being reported today.

Overall, experts have found two distinct types of problems: building related diseases, and sick building syndrome.

Building Related Diseases

Building related diseases are events that can be traced to one specific problem. Most illnesses in the workplace are simple cases of cold or flu. When one person brings it in, the disease can be spread throughout the office via the ventilation system.

If sickness seems to be spreading throughout the building, the first thing to consider is the speed at which it travels. If a cold or flu seems to be spreading in days or even weeks, it could simply be the virus is moving its way through the population in natural progression.  

Sick Building Syndrome

More common than illnesses are complaints that have no direct cause, and seem to last for long periods of time. People will complain of sick building syndrome symptoms – fatigue, headache, irritated eyes, itchy skin, etc. These symptoms will disappear when a person spends time away from the building, and reappear with prolonged activity within the building. And when a person visits the doctor, nothing can be detected, and little can be done to reduce their suffering. In some cases, the symptoms become so severe, a person cannot return to work within the building.

While a lot of research is being done on why sick building syndrome is on the rise, it’s still speculation on what the true cause really is. Some say it’s related to highly insulated buildings with lower inflow requirements of air through the ventilation system. Some blame it on simple problems with the humidity levels or adjusting heat levels. Some say it’s a combination of things, including offgassing from chemicals releasing into the air.

Whatever the cause, the best place to start to eliminate the problem altogether is focusing in on improving your air quality overall. And that begins with making sure your HVAC system, including your ventilation system, is at its optimal level all year through. 

The Benefits Of HVAC Upgrades

HVAC equipment is expensive. Chances are HVAC maintenance is a significant number in your annual budget allotment.

It can be difficult to justify replacement, especially when troubleshooting can find a solution to keep the old system in place for just a little while longer. Should you really spend large amounts of capital for new equipment, when a little repair work may keep it running for a few more months?

The decision can be a tricky one. It can be a fine line for a manager to determine the best solution for the situation. Upgrading can bring a lot of benefits including:

•  Enhanced efficiency
•  Greater occupant comfort
• Environmentally friendly equipment

It can also be one of the most difficult projects you take on. Every time you upgrade your HVAC equipment, there exists potential for:

• Workplace disruption
•  Unanticipated equipment challenges
• Building occupant discomfort

With a savvy implementation plan, you can set realistic expectations for the project from beginning to end, and use that to develop an open line of communication with everyone impacted by the decision and the constraints of the project.

The starting point is proper planning. Especially with an older HVAC system with a lot of retrofits in place, planning is key to making sure the project will run smoothly. Plan for the best case scenario; plan for the worst. Develop back up scenarios for any disruptions that may occur or impact the people working within your building. Also include a list of possible delays and how you will handle each problem, such as what if you have structural problems with the new equipment, or equipment is delayed or simply not available as you need it.

Rather than rushing a situation, you are far better off having back up plans in place before you remove the first piece of equipment. Make sure every impacted person and office understands the time commitment to upgrading the equipment, and has wiggle room for the just-in-case issues that may occur.

As you finalize your decisions, remember, the more parties involved in the planning, the more room for error. As a facility manager, it is important to coordinate activities of all parties involved. The more contractors you’ve had work on the system, provide feedback and give quotes, the more confusing the overall process can be. Especially if you have to communicate this feedback to upper management who may have the final say.

Trust is a big part of making the right decisions. If you understand the implications of running the HVAC system the old way versus upgrading it, and you trust the advice of the contractor you are working with, it can make pitching the cost and the benefits that much easier.