Keep HVAC systems efficient

Making sure that a store’s HVAC system is regularly cleaned and serviced can help prevent costly heating and cooling bills. To improve efficiency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program recommends the following:

• Engage a qualified HVAC firm in a maintenance contract with seasonal tune-ups. During these tune-ups, a technician should check combustion efficiency, refrigerant charge and belt tension as applicable.
• Inspect ducts and piping for leakage or damaged insulation. Leaky ductwork is one of the biggest contributors to cooling loss in buildings. Apply duct sealer, tape and insulation as needed.
• Repair old valves and steam traps. These can waste hundreds of dollars and are low-cost parts.
• Replace air filters regularly. Accumulated dirt and dust make fans work harder and reduce airflow. Clean or replace filters as recommended by the system’s manufacturer.
• Clean the evaporator and condenser coils on heat pumps, air conditioners or chillers. Dirty coils inhibit heat transfer; by keeping them clean, a store saves energy.
• Control the air-handling unit to match occupancy of the building. Make sure it is programmed to cycle off during unoccupied periods.

And a word of advice about purchasing equipment: Avoid oversizing at all costs. According to the Consortium of Energy Efficiency, at least 25% of all rooftop HVAC units are oversized, which increases the capital cost at the time of the installation and the cost of operating the equipment. Properly sized equipment dramatically cuts energy costs, increases the life of the equipment and reduces pollution.

To ensure proper sizing, Energy Star recommends requesting that the HVAC professional conduct an Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual N – Commercial Load Calculation.