Preventative Maintenance

Unlike highly visible assets in a building, such as carpet or lighting systems, most HVAC systems are out of sight and out of mind. That is until something goes wrong. And when something does go wrong, it is too late for maintenance to be performed efficiently. Maintenance at that point becomes reactive.

An on-site inspection of your system is the only way to tell which option (repair, replace or maintain) is available for you. Since you are reading this it is a fair bet repair or replace are the only remaining options available. Repairs can add up and at some point the cost of minor repairs will exceed the cost of replacement. Plus, modern HVAC systems are more energy and cost efficient and add value to your property. We’ll review your repair vs. replace options and help you do the calculations.

We start with a through inspection of your entire HVAC system from top to bottom including your air distribution system. We use video equipment to reach difficult to access components. We will document and diagnose problems. Most of us never think about what is above the ceiling tiles in our office, yet we should. If your air distribution isn’t designed properly you cannot achieve the balance your want. The size and placement of air ducts has a critical impact on your heating and cooling systems performance. Wojo’s offers complete airflow evaluation. Our technicians will provide you a detailed quote listing your options based on our inspection.

One of the best ways to avoid future unexpected repairs is to regularly inspect and maintain your equipment. A Scheduled Preventive Maintenance Program will give you the peace-of-mind that your HVAC systems are working safely and efficiently. Inspections often uncover minor repairs that let our customers avoid a more costly repair and the disruptions and the inconvenience from an emergency repair. Over the long run, Scheduled Preventive Maintenance Programs saves you money by extending the life of your equipment and reducing the number of emergency repairs.

Our knowledgeable staff will help you select the Preventative Maintenance Program that is best for your business.

Cleaning the exterior HVAC components and regularly replacing air filters (pre-filters and primary filters) is an important step in keeping your customers and employees comfortable, extending the life of your system and saving money.

Outside, HVAC systems are exposed to the elements and, over time, need to be cleaned in order to keep your system operating at top efficiency. Dirt and debris can hide evidence of a leak or small problem that could become a major expense if not corrected.

Inside, every building generates a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants. Modern buildings are designed to be air tight for greater energy efficiency, which means these contaminants remain indoors. Indoor air can be many times more polluted than the air right outside the window.

Indoor contaminants are constantly pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulates 5 to 7 times per day. Regular replacement of air filters can help avoid a build-up of contaminants in air ducts. When replacing air filters are assigned to an employee, too often the job doesn’t get done and the air filters get clogged which allows dirty air to circulate, unbalances the system, reduces the efficiency of the entire system, and costs money.

And while dirty air ducts don’t automatically mean you have unhealthy air in your business, an accumulation of debris may contribute to health issues or harbor contaminants that could cause problems for people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders or environmental allergies. Plus, a buildup of dirt and debris makes your heating and cooling system work harder and shortens the life of your system.

We use specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean out the supply, intake, and return air ducts throughout your business. We also perform a thorough cleaning of the air handler, registers, grilles, fans, motors, housings, and coils of your HVAC system.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you have your heating and cooling systems inspected by a professional heating and cooling contractor like Wojo’s. The interval between inspection/cleaning will depend on the type, age and condition of your equipment. If, after this inspection, we discover that your system should receive routine maintenance, we will design a Preventative Maintenance Program that is best for your firm.

Is a Scheduled Preventive Maintenance Program appropriate for you? It depends on these, and other, factors:

• Age and condition of your systems (see Repair, Replace Or Maintain?).
• Occupant feedback: complaints of foul odors or musty smells.
• History of repairs: small repairs often lead to major repairs.
• Plans for the building: if your building is scheduled to be torn down, your decision will be different than if you plan on putting the property up for sale.
• History of Renovation: If your building was built before 1978 and has been remodeled – especially if there was asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust – your system and ductwork may need to be cleaned. Ducts should be sealed off during renovations; but if they weren’t, dangerous dust and debris may become lodged inside the ductwork. *
• Animals: If there’s evidence of animal infestation or nesting in your ducts or HVAC system we will clean the affected HVAC components.
• Mold: If there is visible mold growth in the building, the HVAC system must be inspected and evaluated by a certified mold abatement company. We will work with the abatement company to remediate any problems uncovered. *
• Contaminants: If noticeable debris, moisture, foul odors, or other contaminants are being released into the building through the air ducts; then the system should be cleaned. *

* It is often cheaper, and much less disruptive to your business, to replace badly contaminated sections of air handling components than to attempt to remove mold and other hazardous contaminants while in-place.