Why scheduled maintenance pays off
Most commercial HVAC failures start small: a cracked belt, a clogged drain, a dirty coil, a damper stuck open. Caught on a scheduled visit, they’re quick fixes. Found when the unit quits on a 100° afternoon, they’re emergency calls. Regular maintenance also keeps equipment running efficiently, extends its life and gives you a service record if a warranty question ever comes up.
The industry standard for this work is ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180, which sets out minimum inspection and maintenance tasks for commercial HVAC systems. A good agreement is built around tasks like these.
What each visit should cover
- Filters: replaced on a schedule that matches the building. Restaurants, shops and dusty sites need them more often.
- Belts and motors: belts checked for wear and tension, moving parts lubricated where needed.
- Coils: condenser and evaporator coils cleaned so they can move heat efficiently.
- Condensate drains: cleared and tested, to keep water out of ceilings and inventory.
- Refrigerant circuit: pressures and temperatures checked for signs of a leak or low charge.
- Heating section: burners, heat exchangers and flues inspected before the heating season, with safety controls tested.
- Economizers and dampers: checked so the unit uses cool outside air when it can, and isn’t stuck pulling in hot air when it shouldn’t.
- Controls: thermostat schedules confirmed, so the building isn’t conditioned overnight or on weekends.
- A written report: what was done, what was found, and what to plan for.
How often
Most buildings need at least two visits a year: one before cooling season and one before heating season. Kitchens, high-occupancy spaces and buildings with heavy dust may need quarterly service.
What to ask a contractor
- Which units and tasks are covered, and what’s billed separately
- How filters are scheduled and supplied
- Whether agreement customers get priority when something breaks
- How you’ll receive reports and repair recommendations
Dayco provides ongoing service and maintenance for stores, offices and warehouses across the region. Call (509) 586-9464 to set up a maintenance schedule for your building.