Has your AC ever stopped working, resulting in many tenants complaining? Water damage in your HVAC system can quietly wreak havoc, jeopardizing operational efficiency and tenants’ safety while increasing costs.
Understanding the effects that leaks can have on your HVAC system is crucial to maintaining a comfortable and safe environment for your tenants. In this article, we’ll explore everything from hidden costs and operational disruptions to practical insights and solutions to AC problems.
What an HVAC System Is and Why It’s Important
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It’s a term used for systems that control and regulate temperature and humidity indoors. HVAC systems can contain ducts, along with cooling and heating units. Below are their specific functions and importance:
Heating and Air Conditioning
Heating and Air Conditioning systems take in air, either cool or heat it, and put it into an indoor area. Air can be blown into specific rooms or entire buildings depending on the system configuration.
Air conditioning units and central air systems are part of the AC aspect and furnaces, boilers, and heating pumps are part of the heating aspect. Together these systems can help your tenants have a better time and make it easier for employees to work.
Ventilation
Opening windows for air circulation is not enough to maintain indoor air quality, so ventilation systems are designed to assist. Ventilation systems filter out particles like dust and allergens. They can also regulate humidity inside buildings alongside the HVAC system. Ventilation systems are especially important when opening a window is not possible like during rain, snow, or other inclement weather.
Importance of HVAC
HVAC is necessary for tenant satisfaction and comfort. HVAC is also important for maintaining good air quality indoors that keeps the people in the building safe as poor ventilation can lead to mold growth and moisture build-up which can be very harmful.
Facility managers should be aware of what HVAC equipment suits them best i.e. humid environments, warmer or colder areas, expenses, and air quality of the area. This allows facility managers to be able to provide for the tenants' needs more easily.
Top 4 signs that your HVAC is leaking
Detecting leaks in your HVAC system early can save you from costly repairs and potential health hazards. Here are the top four signs that may indicate your HVAC system is leaking.
Higher Utility Bills
As the heating and air conditioning system loses water and refrigerant (compounds used to transfer hot/cold air), the system struggles to maintain temperatures. In order to sustain temperature, it ends up running more often (longer cooling cycles) which results in increased bills.
Unusual Sounds/Odors
Hissing/Bubbling noises usually indicate some sort of leak. Hissing sounds typically come when air is escaping through a small hole or leak and bubbling occurs through larger leaks. Unusual chemical smells can mean that refrigerant is seeping out and collecting around an AC unit. Odors can also come from various components within the HVAC.
Frost Buildup
Gas pressure and temperature are directly related, and during leaks, pressure drops leading to a decrease in temperature. The drop freezes moisture along the HVAC system and typically occurs on the evaporator coils thus building up frost.
Loss of Cooling Power/Inconsistent Temperature
If the cooling power decreases it could be a sign of a leak. The production of more cool air in some rooms and less in others is another sign that the air conditioning has problems. This happens due to the air leaking out of the ducts before the cool air reaches its destination.
Effects of leaks on HVAC
Water leaks in HVAC systems have several effects, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant damages requiring costly repairs. According to homeinspector.org, these issues include reduced AC performance, and also water damage to ceilings, walls, and floors.
Decreased Efficiency
With the increased moisture in the system, dust and particulates will tend to clump together and reduce air filtration effectiveness. Air filters should have a dust-spot rating between 35% and 80% or a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of between 8 and 13 which can be decreased by water leaks.
In addition to atmospheric dust, airborne particulates can include pollen, mold, (fungal) spores, animal dander, insect proteins, pesticides, lead, and infectious bacteria. The leaking water can accumulate in the building, leading to further contamination.
Such contamination can provide nutrients for biological growth in ductwork or cause duct corrosion, both of which contribute to indoor air quality (IAQ) degradation. That can be a severe health hazard for tenants or employees in the building, which can lead to lower reviews of your buildings.
Also, frost buildup may lead to water leaks and also cause insufficient air flow, poor cooling performance, increased energy consumption, frequent shutdowns, and coil damage.
Uncontrolled Moisture and Humidity
Uncontrolled moisture left unregulated by faulty HVAC systems can cause damage to the building itself. Furniture, floors, walls, and ceilings can be destroyed by mold and pest infestations which sprawl in the moisture.
It’s also important to know that wet construction cavities, attics, and plenums are major sources of mold and can contribute significantly to indoor air quality problems. Water and mold damage can occur on the structure and degrade the performance of insulation, increasing energy and operating costs.
To protect occupant health and comfort, as well as the building, and its contents, indoor humidity must be maintained below 60%. It should ideally be between 30% and 50%, as indoor air can become too dry for comfort during the heating season.
Final Thoughts on Leaking HVAC Systems
Maintaining a well-functioning HVAC system isn't just about comfort, it's also about safeguarding your investments and ensuring operational efficiency. It's easy to see how minor issues can escalate into major headaches. It’s important for commercial property owners to protect their HVAC investments by staying vigilant and proactive. The best way to mitigate these risks is by using sensors to help detect these leaks in their early stage.
Have you ever had to deal with a leaking HVAC system? What steps did you take to ensure no further damage?
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