Your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems are at the heart of your operations, helping to make your workplace a living environment for your employees. Not all of us are born technicians, so it’s easy to get lost. To help you find your way around, the BAULNE team has prepared this practical guide. You’ll be better equipped to ask the right questions and make better decisions when it comes to the preventive maintenance of your equipment.
The aim of preventive maintenance is to establish a game plan to reduce the risk of unplanned shutdowns or breakdowns. The benefits of having a maintenance plan in place for your HVAC system are numerous.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE BENEFITS OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.
Your environmental bill will be under control.
A system that operates at its full potential optimizes your energy consumption and reduces your atmospheric emissions. You win, and so does the planet!
Reduced, predictable repair costs.
A good maintenance plan allows you to identify a problem before it becomes more serious. You’ll have an idea of which parts or equipment need to be replaced and can plan their purchase and replacement.
Your wallet and your financial controller will thank you!
You’ll be able to extend the life of your equipment and maximize your investment.
Fewer emergency calls.
Nobody likes unpleasant surprises. A breakdown always comes at the worst possible time. Emergency calls are costly and put your teams under pressure.
A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION PLAN IN A NUTSHELL
An important part of a preventive maintenance plan is inspection.
We’ve put together a list of easy-to-check items that will help you have informed conversations with your technician.
Clean and replace filters.
A clogged filter reduces the efficiency of your system.
Check the condition of your drains.
They should be free of debris, allowing water to flow freely and avoiding unpleasant surprises.
Check belt condition.
A worn belt can lead to an unplanned shutdown at the worst possible time.
Check the cleanliness and integrity of the cabinet and your equipment.
The cabinet must be leak-proof and protect the equipment from the elements. The presence of mildew indicates a moisture management problem. In addition, cleaning condensers after the pollen season ensures optimal equipment performance.
Check that controls are working properly.
We want to make sure that instruments such as timers are working properly, to save on energy bills.
Check the operation of all moving parts and lubricate if necessary.
Moving parts must turn freely.
Check electrical connections on a regular basis.
Evidence of corrosion or poor wiring can help identify a power supply problem or problematic equipment and avoid the risk of fire or equipment breakdown.
Check for natural gas and refrigerant leaks.
In addition to reducing the performance of your equipment, a leak can represent a fire hazard and a health risk for your personnel. What’s more, depending on your appliance’s power rating, Quebec regulations require it to undergo an annual leak test. https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/rc/Q-2,%20r.%2029.
Check the correct operation of your fresh air dampers.
Your dampers must open and close at the right time to provide the right amount of fresh air, so you don’t heat or cool air unnecessarily.
Add filters to your water tower inlet.
Filters in good condition, coupled with effective ultraviolet treatment of air inlets, will eliminate the risk of Legionella.
Check that your water treatment for your cooling system or boiler is under control.
Effective water treatment reduces performance losses due to limescale and the risk of corrosion.
If you’re looking for peace of mind, our technicians can help you draw up a maintenance plan tailored to your needs, and carry out inspections, maintenance and repairs on your behalf.
