Facilities Management in Sydney: Creating a Checklist for Preventative HVAC Maintenance

Your building’s HVAC system is one of the most costly components of your facility, and if you wait to take care of it until something goes wrong, you could end up with a costly bill. Instead of waiting until something goes wrong, working with a facilities management team that takes preventative maintenance seriously ensures your facility is always in peak condition.

Here’s how you can make the most of a preventative maintenance program, one step at a time. Each of the steps below will make it easier to care for your facility and prevent costly repair bills, too. Here’s what we recommend for commercial HVAC maintenance and what you should expect from your facilities management company when it comes to caring for your buildings’ comfort and air quality.

Commercial HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Here’s how our expert team of facility managers make the most of every building we serve; incorporate these tips to take the best care of your own facility:

Get to Know your Equipment

Before you make any strategic maintenance plan, you should know exactly what you have in your facility. You should know the brand and model of your systems, be aware of how many units and types of equipment you have and understand the needs of your heating and cooling systems. ‘

You can discover this information in a variety of ways:

Look at the units and equipment you own: Each of the items that make up your commercial HVAC system will be labelled with a brand name and a model number. Make a list of what you have and of the general condition of each piece.

If you are not sure what you own – or where it is – take a look at your building schematics and pay a visit to your commercial utility rooms, basement and rooftop. Most of the equipment you use will be in one of these locations. If you are not sure, don’t want to head to these places or can’t figure out where your equipment is, a professional facility manager can help you discover exactly what your building has and the condition of each piece. Once you know this information, you can make a comprehensive plan that accounts for each component and ensures you are not overspending on your facility’s HVAC.

Use the information you’ve learned to detail each piece you own and its current condition; you can then work through this inventory to make strategic plans for each piece.

Incorporate Seasonal Maintenance

Each of your HVAC components will likely need a specific strategy to ensure peak performance, but you should also maintain all of your equipment throughout the year. Use the details below to monitor, improve, and optimise your commercial facility’s HVAC system.

Warm Weather Months

Your air conditioning system will launch into overdrive in the warm summer months – so your systems need regular care. Before you turn the air conditioner on for the first time, complete each of these steps:

• Replace your filters on all cooling components and equipment
• Perform a visual inspection of your HVAC equipment. You should look for dust, condensation, drips and other problems. Now is the time to call a pro for help if you see any signs of trouble.
• Make sure your system is in full compliance with all safety laws and that any required posters are up to date.
• Power up the system and listen – if it sounds like it is labouring or making loud noises, then it is time to call in a pro.

Cold Weather Months

Its time to power up the furnace, and cleaning your ducts should be a priority. Any dust and debris in your system will begin to circulate through the air – making your facility an uncomfortable place to be. Perform the following tasks once cold weather arrives to make sure your HVAC equipment is ready to keep things warm all season long:

• Change all filters
• Clean vents and ducts
• Double check all safety and compliance issues to be sure your system is up to date.
• Check your thermostat; even small variances can lead to costly energy bills.

Ongoing, Year Round Maintenance for Facilities

In addition to the seasonal tasks your HVAC system needs to stay healthy, you should perform some tasks every month to ensure you are operating in peak condition. Each month, you should:

• Review energy bills to watch for spikes or climbing costs that don’t seem to relate to the weather
• Change all building filters, vacuum and clean ducts as needed
• Double check performance and review any tenant tickets or issues
• Mark a log book to track the work you have done and ensure you have completed each step each month.

Find a Brand you can Trust

While you can replace filters, perform routine tasks and watch for signs of trouble, working with an expert facilities management team will have a significant impact on your bottom line. When you find a facilities management in Sydney brand you can trust, all of the seasonal, ongoing and technical HVAC preventative maintenance is done for you. You don’t have to worry about looking for separate help when something goes wrong, overpaying for inspections or coping with soaring energy bills due to an inefficient system. 

Choosing a brand that not only covers your HVAC systems, but that takes a holistic approach to your entire business ensures that your heating and cooling systems are fully integrated into the rest of your needs and that nothing gets skipped or missed during a busy month or season. When you work with a professional building management team you get all of the benefits of a hands-on team, without having to hire additional workers or spend hours each week visiting and maintaining properties. 

Get in touch today to learn more about our comprehensive approach to all inclusive building and facilities management and to discover just how much time and money we can save you every month.  We’re here to ensure your buildings are always in peak condition and that everything from your HVAC to your exterior maintenance and security are in expert hands, every day of the year.