As COVID-19 has permeated daily life and conversation for the better part of a year, the importance of indoor air quality and the role it plays in promoting wellness has been a topic of national importance, particularly in regard to opening schools for and the return to in-person learning.
Since the onset of the pandemic, LEAF Engineers has been distributing resources for building owners to reference as they work to optimize their building systems for wellness. Most recently, LEAF Engineers has developed this checklist to offer practical application advice considering recent CDC and other national publications by health experts.
Aside from strategies related to the COVID-19, regular maintenance of AC systems has always been and will always be important. Well maintained systems save money by preventing breakdowns and costly repairs, reducing energy bills and extending the life of the system. Regular maintenance also helps systems produce warm or cool air more evenly and steadily. Furthermore, well-maintained systems reduce the ecological footprint of the building.
Not sure where to start? This video provides an overview of recommendations for an HVAC unit inspection.
VIDEO: Neglecting Regular HVAC Maintenance Could Cost You
The slides below provide a detailed look, as well as a typical maintenance checklist, that can be referenced as you inspect your units. For more information or questions regarding HVAC maintenance, please contact LEAF Engineers at 1-800-938-7272.
Maintenance of AC Systems: Packaged RTU
Components [Numbered]
• Outside Air Intake Hood [1]
• Economizer Damper [2]
• Return Air Damper [3]
• Air Filter [4]
• Cooling Coil [5]
• Heating Section (not shown) [6]
• Motor/Supply Fan [7]
• Compressor [8]
• Condenser [9]
• Condenser Fan [10]
Maintenance of AC Systems: Typical Maintenance Items
• Supply Air Filter Replacement
• Washing of Outside Air Filter
• Inspect Dx Cooling Components
• Inspect Furnace Heating Components
Maintenance of AC Systems: Special Maintenance Items
• Check Refrigerant Charge
• Grease Bearings
• Adjust Belt Tension (replace if required)
• Carbon Monoxide Test
• Inspect for Gas Leaks
• Overall Cleaning of Unit
Maintenance of AC Systems: Typical Maintenance Checklist
• Replace Supply Air Filter
• Wash Outside Air Filter
• Cooling Components appear to be in good operable condition
• Heating Components appear to be in good operable condition
• Supply Fan and Motor appear to be in good operable condition
Maintenance of AC Systems: Special Maintenance Checklist
• Refrigerant Charge is in the acceptable range
• Furnace is free of gas leaks
• Carbon Monoxide is within acceptable limits
• Unit have been Greased and Lubricated
• Dampers have been cleaned
• Condenser Coil has been cleaned
• Evaporator Coil has been cleaned
• Condensate Pan has been cleaned
By: Brian Hood (Senior Vice President) For months now, the dilemma of whether the threat of the novel coronavirus outweighs the setbacks many are experiencing with remote learning has been...
By: Mark Madorsky (President) Q: What does “retro-commissioning” mean? A: In the context of LEAF’s proven energy efficiency program, retro-commissioning means tuning up an existing building’s HVAC and lighting controls...