BSEE-JUN21-P28 Aermec_Layout 1 10/05/2021 13:27 Page 28
BSEE
The pandemic has focused attention on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as many businesses raise concerns over the health and safety of workers as they move back into offices. But the maintenance of HVAC equipment should not be compromised if businesses want to prevent future problems, unexpected and unwanted costs and the latest technologies including Apps can make their lives as well as their service engineers much easier.
hospital, HVAC service and maintenance can provide insurance by identifying potential problems that can be addressed swiftly and ensure uninterrupted operation of buildings or mission critical sites. Any delays, and what started out as a small problem, could become far more complicated, impact other parts of the HVAC system and prove costly. But what does HVAC maintenance involve? A thorough inspection of any HVAC system should include repairing any issues detected, calibrating sensors and transducers, checking thermostats, lubrication of any moving parts, but also the testing of electrical components, checking refrigerant levels, water quality in chilled water circuits and much more.
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Chillers and AHUs can be kept operating at peak performance levels by having annual pre-season check-ups which means having a robust PPM strategy in place. Service engineers are always busier in the summer and winter months, so it pays to have cooling systems checked in the spring and heating in the autumn. Some businesses particularly mission critical facilities do both.
Annual HVAC preventative maintenance programmes can include a wide range of measures, such as lubricating all moving parts, lack of lubrication can lead to friction in motors which could see a rise in electricity usage and the tightening of electrical connections to ensure the safe operation of systems and maximise the life of major components.
Many tasks can be tackled by service engineers on site such as changing filters, tightening or replacing seals, checking thermostats and electrical components, but where larger potential issue have been flagged, these may require a separate service visit.
hether the facility is an office complex, large
commercial space, school or
MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT It’s all in the App for maintenance
When it comes to cooling specifically one of the tasks often overlooked is coil cleaning and the cleaning of evaporators. Dirty condenser coils or poor water quality in water cooled units can result in an increase in the compressor’s energy consumption, but can also compromise heat transfer. Over time contaminants can build up on the surface of the coils of the heat exchanger and will start to act as an insulator, decreasing the available surface area for heat transfer, resulting in excessive energy consumption, poor system performance and the life of your HVAC equipment will be shortened. Compressors also require attention. Some components need to be replaced every few years in order to extend the life of the compressor. Checking refrigerant levels are another essential – too little or too much will make systems less efficient, increase energy usage and reduce the life of your equipment. It pays to test for leakages too which can damage the environment, but make running systems more costly and less reliable. Some chillers have been in situ for in excess of 20 years. Their longevity lays testament to the effectiveness of a good service and maintenance programme. Refurbing equipment negates the need for road closures, crane costs and may extend the life by some five years or more and buy building owners valuable time to research the market and specify new systems, taking advantages of the increased energy efficiencies and environmental benefits. However, there comes a point when a compressor has expired and not only is it more cost effective to replace the entire product but newer technologies can result in impressive energy savings and pay backs depending on the site and installation requirements.
But newer technologies require just as much attention as older systems. Chiller technology has advanced considerably. Systems that have a high SEER rating can when forced to run harder than is necessary, lose much of their effectiveness, scheduling regular inspections can maximise investments and ensure optimal performance.
Ductwork is a huge part of an HVAC system and play an important role in any HVAC system. It transports the air breathed by a building’s occupants, poor quality air can not only result in sick building syndrome - dry eyes and sore throats – but can also affect the transmission of bacteria and viruses. The pandemic has seen many companies re-assessing their HVAC systems. The safety and well-being of their workforce has led to some looking at the technologies available that can help to make workplaces safer. There is a marked interest in air purifiers and sanitising fan coils which have been proven to be effective against airborne bacteria and virus as well as helping to reduce the viral load and risks of infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Once installed ductwork can’t be easily changed, it has no built-in redundancy either, so it pays to design and install ductwork effectively and considering whether systems with UV technology can be retrofitted to buildings requiring hygienic air flows. All HVAC systems are designed for a small amount of system volume leakage. But high leakage levels can result in AHUs using more energy, running for longer periods and also faster to try and maintain pressure. Efficiency can also be compromised with hot and cold spots.
Other than dampers, ductwork has no moving parts ensuring maintenance is straightforward and inexpensive. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ADCAS who represents the ductwork industry. Both advocate regular ductwork inspections to prevent dust accumulating and help reduce the spreading of diseases. Checks for air tightness should also be carried out as leakages can result in lower flow rates or and/or indicate blocked air flow passages and can influence the IAQ.
28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2021
Apps
Remote diagnostics and data analysis are used by many sites to ensure optimal performance levels and maintain efficiencies and remote monitoring is also used to manage assets and reduce costs. With more smarter technologies coming on stream and the Internet of Things, the HVAC landscape is changing fast.
There’s a proliferation of Apps for almost every application and now there’s one for the HVAC industry, enabling service engineers to provide service and maintenance in real-time and adding value. Customers can engage with the service engineer when on-site, receive real-time video showing what work has been carried out but more importantly, can see and sanction quickly when further repairs are required - all from the comfort of their desk.
The cloud-based platform developed by XOi is already used by Aermec, the first chiller company to use it in the UK. It provides a seamless communication with engineers in the field and the office and has the added benefit of enabling inside sales to quote faster.
When it comes to service and maintenance, delivering value whilst improving the performance of equipment and reducing the impact on the environment can result in reduced maintenance costs, greater efficiencies and life cycle costs, but also ensures that businesses are protecting a key part of their infrastructure.
Further information is available on
www.gov.uk or the Institute of Refrigeration’s website
www.ior.org.uk as well as BSRIA
www.designingbuildings.co.uk which helps steer the industry towards compliance and improvements in built environments.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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