SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE


– typically made of copper and aluminium - can be seriously impacted with a knock-on eff ect for the whole system. This applies equally to external equipment and coils, where leaves and other waste rubbish can quickly ingress exposed areas. So perhaps the biggest single thing you can do to ensure an effi cient system is to keep everything clean and clear of as much dust and debris as possible – and if it’s not, getting to work with a vacuum cleaner. If this doesn’t quite do the trick, then there are a number of specialist cleaning fl uids designed specifi cally for coils. By undertaking basic visual checks and keeping


things as clean as you can you’ll help avoid the one thing nobody really wants – a thorough deep clean. Used as a last resort when everything else has failed this is a costly, invasive and time- consuming process involving a steam cleaner and other specialist equipment. If the indoor unit needs deep cleaning, the whole room needs to be cleared, while the amount of steam and water generated can potentially cause damage to fl oors, surfaces and offi ce equipment. Expect at least half a day’s work per unit which all adds up, especially in larger offi ce spaces. Regular inspections and cleaning can help avoid this disruption and it’s defi nitely worth educating


customers or building owners on the benefi ts of regular inspections.


16:59 Page 1


Alongside cleaning away excess dust and debris, it’s also vitally important to check the refrigerant gas. Clearly this is a vital component of HVAC systems, and if the system is operating on a lower charge (i.e. less gas than is needed) then effi ciency is compromised. Lower levels could be caused through general use, or from leaks which are a fact of life in HVAC systems. Even if the leak is small, it still presents a signifi cant risk to health and the environment. These considerations, together with increasingly stringent F-gas legislation and a steadily rising cost of gas mean that regular checks are therefore vital. If not, the system owners might be penalised for non-compliance. Contractors therefore have clear responsibilities in this regard, and there are government guidelines around the frequency of testing for F-gas leaks. This depends on the amount of F-gas in the system, as well as its GWP (global warming potential). While certain equipment, including some hermetically sealed systems have no maximum service intervals, most do, ranging from at least once every 12 months, to every 3 months, while larger systems must incorporate automatic detection.


Although leak detection can occasionally be a complex process, there are a number of hand-held systems which can simplify this process. These are readily available and relatively inexpensive. For example, Wolseley has an extensive range from leading manufacturers including JAVAC. We strongly recommend adding regular leak checks to all maintenance schedules as a matter of course — particularly while many commercial buildings remain virtually empty. By protecting the system and the owner, the additional leak testing adds value to your customers and is also chargeable as an extra service.


For all of these reasons, contractors should take time explaining the importance of regular maintenance to their customers and should introduce leak testing if it’s not already on off er. The business case is clear – it extends service life and saves time and cost in the long-term, while also reducing disruption caused by breakdown and deep cleaning. Most of all, it makes sure that you as a contractor, and your customer as a busines, are doing the right taking by taking a responsible and sustainable approach. And in these challenging times, that’s more important than ever.


Before


Humidifier & Evaporative Cooling Specialists


HumiTech service, maintain, install and commission all makes and models of humidifiers & evaporative coolers.


Munters


From domestic clients through to some of the UK’s largest museums, universities, offices, commercial properties and data centres, our team of expert engineers are there to support you with all your humidification needs.


• Tailored service agreements •


Service call-outs


• Reconditioning and repairs •


Spare parts


• Free site surveys •


Remote monitoring To find out more, contact us TODAY!


enquiries@humi-techservices.co.uk www.humi-techservices.co.uk


www.acr-news.com May 2021 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48