As the owner of a commercial property or apartment building, you will receive a fair share of complaints. These can range from legitimate issues to less serious complaints – but knowing which complaints to take seriously and which to discard can help you save time and money.

When legitimate problems occur, it is important to understand what causes can trigger specific issues – and typically complaints are caused by the building’s HVAC system.

Complaints Caused By A Faulty HVAC

HVAC or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems have one job – to keep the structure they’re installed in at a temperature that makes everyone happy. When the HVAC system stops working, that’s when problems start to happen. Complaints start to sound like this:

• There are water stains around the ceiling
• The air conditioning is not working properly – cool air is not pumping into the room
• Energy bills are doubling
• Funny smells
• Loud clunking noises are coming from the vents

If any of these complaints come from your tenants, it is likely that the HVAC system is at fault.

What Is The Problem

If the HVAC system seems to be struggling to keep up with the temperature outside and inside, there are a few things to look at.

1. Old filters can cause poor air quality and strange smells. Filters are designed to trap allergens, airborne debris, dust, and other air impurities. Filters should be changed out on a monthly basis to keep the HVAC system running at its best capacity.
2. Cracks in the ductwork can lead to inconsistent air temperatures due to inefficient airflow. Find the source of the leak and a professional team can start to repair the system.
3. Wrong size of HVAC system. If tenants are complaining about energy bills or the inability to keep temperatures regulated in their space, the HVAC system may not be the proper size. An HVAC system that is too small for space will not be able to keep up with the tenant’s needs, while a system that is too big will run inefficiently.
4. Broken parts can lead to rattling and clanking metal sounds in the HVAC system. This can also mean a broken fan or duct, cracked pipes, or loose hardware. Call in a professional to pinpoint the issue and replace the broken parts.
5. Clogs in the drain line can lead to excess water and condensation, often leading to water damage behind your walls and ceilings. This can lead to mold and mildew, and eventually structural damage to your building.

Keep Up With HVAC Maintenance

It is important to keep your HVAC system cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Changing filters, regularly inspecting the system for wear and tear, and keeping the system clean are ultimately up to you. The good news is the professionals at McMahon Services off a team of skilled HVAC technicians to help clean and maintain your HVAC system regularly.

We recommend a complete air duct cleaning after new construction or remodeling projects, and at least once a year to keep things running smoothly. The typical cleaning job will take between three to four hours – and we can do the cleaning while you are in the building! Call us today to schedule your air duct cleaning and maintenance check.