Rooftop HVAC units offer many benefits, however, its placement makes it easy to forget about rooftop HVAC unit maintenance. Rooftop HVAC service discovers potential malfunctions and allows for repairs and modifications before they become huge issues.
In Atlanta, Georgia, your rooftop HVAC unit must work without a hitch when the temperatures start to rise. Proper rooftop HVAC unit maintenance ensures system performance and efficiency throughout the summer. Work with a trusted HVAC contractor to prevent and to repair heating and cooling problems throughout the year.
Potential Problems When You Ignore HVAC Unit Maintenance
Like all HVAC units, certain problems occur more often. Rooftop units present unique issues and require careful consideration and experience to solve.
With rooftop HVAC unit maintenance, these problems become non-issues. Some of the most common problems rooftop HVAC units experience include:
- Faulty sensors
- Dirty coils
- Fan belts
- Worn contactor
Faulty sensors
Sensors on a rooftop HVAC unit provide the system with the information it needs to properly operate. These sensors collect information about the environment, such as CO2 levels, humidity, pressure, etc., to fit your needs.
When these sensors are not calibrated correctly, they use more energy than necessary. This leads to higher utility bills.
Dirty coils
Dirty coils affect the performance of a rooftop HVAC unit. On a roof, HVAC units suffer year-round environmental exposure. Poor air quality, storms, and more cause coils to collect dirt, dust, and other particles much faster than indoor units.
Fan belts
Worn or loose fan belts occur more often to rooftop units as well. Rooftop units are exposed to the elements, which wears away the belts quicker than if they were indoors. Routine rooftop HVAC maintenance ensures these belts are always functional.
Worn contactor
The contactor on an HVAC unit provides power to other components of the unit. When the contactor fails, so does the functionality of the unit. If the HVAC system does blow out air, it isn’t the temperature you want.
Contactors fail either electrically or mechanically. Both are more prone to happen outdoors. Debris and insects caught in the contactor cause mechanical failure, while broken insulation between wires triggers an electrical breakdown.
What Rooftop HVAC Unit Maintenance Includes
Most assume rooftop HVAC maintenance works the same as indoor HVAC maintenance. However, it isn’t the case. Outdoor units present problems entirely unique to their environment. It’s important to understand the differences between indoor HVAC maintenance and rooftop HVAC maintenance.
NATE-certified commercial HVAC maintenance technicians from Estes Commercial are well-educated in rooftop HVAC unit maintenance.
During a rooftop HVAC unit maintenance tune up, the commercial HVAC contractors perform these tasks to deliver performance and energy efficiency improvements.
1. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
First, a commercial HVAC tech shuts off all power to the unit and tags the disconnect to start the base level inspection. He or she inspects the air filters and inlet screens.
Although HVAC techs change these filters, the customer’s facility maintenance crew also needs to inspect them on a regular basis. In Atlanta, the heat attracts many insects to filters, so make sure to check and change those air filters.
2. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
Next on the rooftop HVAC unit maintenance checklist, belt inspection. As stated above, fan belts see more wear and tear than indoor units, so Estes HVAC techs check and replace if needed.
3. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
Commercial HVAC techs evaluate the coils and clean to remove debris. Debris reduces heat transfer and increases energy consumption, i.e. higher utility costs.
4. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
HVAC techs inspect your drain pan and condensate drain lines to ensure there are no malfunctions. They also clear clogs to enable proper drainage and treat your drain pan to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, algae, bacteria, and clog-producing contaminants.
5. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
Commercial HVAC techs test refrigerant levels for proper volume and charge. Improper refrigerant levels indicate a leak somewhere in the system. Leaks must be repaired to spare excessive energy consumption and poor performance.
6. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
Estes Commercial techs verify system voltages. Voltage imbalances must not exceed 1 percent. Commercial techs search for loose and damaged wiring and replace if needed.
7. Rooftop HVAC Service Task
Finally, commercial HVAC technicians verify and tighten all electrical connections as needed. This ensures safe and energy-efficient unit operation.
Schedule Rooftop HVAC Unit Maintenance with the Estes Commercial HVAC Team
Regular rooftop HVAC unit maintenance prevents major issues with your system. Atlanta, Georgia’s summers are too hot to deal with a faulty HVAC unit, so stay on top of things with regular maintenance.
Estes Commercial offers commercial cooling maintenance service plans to ensure your rooftop HVAC unit performs efficiently and meets warranty requirements, so call now to book a tune up.
The Estes Commercial HVAC team travels throughout Atlanta to serve customers large and small in Marietta, Dunwoody, Druid Hills, Virginia Highland, Kennesaw and Johns Creek. You’ll also see our pros in Decatur, Buckhead, Midtown, Peachtree City, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Fayetteville.
