It’s the first cold morning of the season and the facility team decides it’s time to turn on the heat. That’s also when they discover the heating system isn’t working. The timing couldn’t be worse. For restaurants, retail stores, healthcare facilities and other high-traffic buildings, a heating failure can quickly affect the customer or patient experience, not to mention daily operations. But the real kicker? A heating inspection a few weeks earlier might have caught the problem before it turned into an emergency.
That’s why Retail Mechanical Services recommends scheduling a heating inspection before winter arrives. Here’s what our technicians check to help get your equipment ready for the colder months.
Make Sure the Heat Works
During a pre-winter inspection, our technicians test the heating system to make sure it’s working properly. This lets them spot and address issues that show up during the first run. Some of the common problems they look for include:
- Failed hot surface igniters, spark igniters, or dirty flame sensors
- Faulty gas valves, gas pressure problems or tripped safety switches
- Worn belts, failed blower motors or damaged pulleys
- Faulty control boards, relays or other electrical components
- Failed reversing valves, heat strips or sequencers
Check Thermostats and Building Controls
If you turn the heat on and it’s working, that’s a great first sign. But it doesn’t necessarily mean your system is good to go. Our technicians also check that heating equipment responds correctly to the building’s control settings, including thermostats, energy management system (EMS) schedules and heating setpoints.
This is especially important for facilities with varying operating hours or multiple heating zones.
Don’t Forget About Rooftop Units
Rooftop HVAC units face another winter challenge: the weather. Wind, ice, and snow can make maintenance and emergency repairs difficult, especially when technicians can’t safely access the equipment.
That’s why it’s important to have rooftop heating equipment inspected and any known issues addressed before winter weather arrives. Building managers should also make sure rooftop access is safe and clear for technicians.
Get Winter-Ready with Retail Mechanical Services
The best time to find out something’s wrong with your heating system is while there’s still time to fix it. RMS can help you prepare for colder weather with a heating inspection, either as part of your regular preventative maintenance program or through a scheduled seasonal visit. We recommend getting it on the calendar well before the first hard freeze to beat the wave of emergency heating calls.
Contact Retail Mechanical Services today to schedule your pre-winter heating inspection.