Extreme weather doesn’t just mess with your weekend plans. It disrupts everything—homes, roads, businesses. If you’ve ever faced a system failure during a heatwave or a cold snap, you are well aware of the havoc bad weather can wreak on your daily operations.
As of November 2024, the U.S. has already seen 24 weather and climate disasters, each causing over $1 billion in losses. We’re talking storms, wildfires, and even the kind of winter blasts that freeze everything in their path.
Now, add to that the pressure extreme weather puts on your commercial HVAC system. When temperatures soar or plummet, your system has to work overtime. The result? Long downtime, enormous repair bills, general discomfort – everything that you could do without.
If you run a business that heavily relies on HVAC systems, you are at just the right place. In this segment, we are about to discuss some practical ways to protect your commercial HVAC system during a severe hailstorm or heatwave.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
It’s easy to forget about your HVAC system until something goes wrong. But when extreme weather hits, you need your system to work without a hitch. Regular maintenance is the best way to make sure your HVAC is ready for anything.
If your HVAC servicing is long overdue, act fast. You’d want to have a professional check it out before the weather turns. They’ll clean and inspect your system thoroughly. If they detect any issue, they can make immediate repairs. This can save you a lot of trouble when the temperature drops or spikes.
If you fail to catch the problem on time, you might have to install a brand new system. With the prices of HVAC equipment relentlessly soaring up, that’s the last thing you want.
In case you don’t have an HVAC service provider on your speed dial already, find one ASAP.
Tips on How to Find a Reliable Commercial HVAC Technician:
Look for a company with experience handling the kind of load your system carries. Commercial systems are bigger and more complex than residential ones, so the technician should be able to manage the specific needs of your setup.
Nothing beats a good old-fashioned word-of-mouth referral. Talk to your fellow local business owners for quality leads. Online reviews and ratings can give you a sense of a company’s reputation but don’t trust them blindly. Try to get feedback from clients with similar-sized operations.
Very important: Don’t forget to confirm if the provider offers 24/7 emergency support, especially when extreme weather strikes. If you are in one of the cities where extreme weather events are common, finding them is easy. New Jersey is an example, being cited as one of the fastest-warming states in the US by the New York Times.
Here’s some good advice from a New Jersey HVAC contractor: always make sure your technician is using OEM-grade parts when making repairs or replacements. Why? OEM parts are made specifically for your system, which means they work better and last longer.
According to Exclusive HVAC Services, upgrading HVAC appliances with OEM parts can significantly boost efficiency and overall lifespan. Most importantly, quality parts can handle fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and power surges a lot better than those without.
Install Surge Protectors
Power surges are expected when a heavy storm rolls in. These sudden spikes in electrical current can fry your HVAC components. Thankfully, you can protect your system from voltage fluctuations by simply installing a surge protector.
This device will act as your first line of defense against catastrophic weather events. Surge protectors act like a safety net for your HVAC. They absorb excess voltage that can happen during storms or power outages.
Without them, that surge could overload the electrical circuits in your HVAC unit, damaging sensitive parts like the compressor or the control board. With a surge protector, the excess energy is diverted safely, protecting the system from harm.
Smaller fluctuations in voltage can also stress your HVAC appliances over time, causing wear and tear.
Err on the side of caution by installing a commercial-grade surge protector to safeguard your system from both large spikes and subtle electrical disturbances. While they come with a high upfront cost, it’s nothing compared to the price of buying a whole new HVAC system.
Upgrade Insulation and Seal the Leaks
All HVAC appliances rely on a controlled environment to function properly, and insulation plays a huge role in that. Without proper insulation and sealing, your system ends up losing heated or cooled air, making it work twice as hard.
This extra strain equals higher utility bills. And as if this isn’t bad enough, it can lead to unexpected failures during extreme weather.
Start with your ducts. Leaky ducts are a common issue in commercial setups. Check for any cracks, loose connections, or visible gaps where air could escape. Sealing these with a reliable duct sealant or foil tape can stop energy loss and improve airflow.
Now, move on to the pipes. Adding pipe insulation helps reduce energy transfer, meaning hot water stays hot in winter, and cool air stays cool in summer. This is especially important in freezing climates, where uninsulated pipes risk bursting when temperatures drop.
Upgrading insulation doesn’t cost much and can effectively protect your HVAC system when the weather is at its worst. Add this task to your checklist today, if you haven’t already.
Time to Weatherproof Your HVAC!
As a business owner, you have enough on your plate. Taking simple steps to protect your HVAC system means you won’t have to deal with unnecessary issues when the weather goes awry. HVAC breakdowns reflect poorly on you as a business runner. So, if you want to avoid unnecessary expenditure and operational disruptions, you know exactly what to do.
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