Spare parts for HVAC systems that will prevent production downtime

For industrial facility managers and maintenance workers, it is crucial to understand how the different components of your facility work, starting with knowing each and every part that makes up the air conditioning system. Learning and understanding the different spare parts for HVAC systems will help them to maintain the proper functioning of the equipment and thus avoid downtime in your production.

In addition, knowing in detail the sensitive parts of the HVAC system allows them to discover and fix maintenance problems faster, saving you time and money in inconvenient downtime and lost productivity.

To avoid future inconvenient maintenance breakdowns, it is essential that you have the right tools to keep your system up and running.

Here are the nine HVAC spare parts that will prevent downtime in your production:

• Air filters

  Did you know that the air filters in your air handling unit are not only the most overlooked components in your HVAC system, but also the most important? Air filters are more than cardboard boxes filled with fibres or pleated material. In fact, air filters affect many components of HVAC performance and comfort.

  The main function of your air filters is precisely to purify the air circulating through your heating and cooling systems. All the air that heats and cools your facility passes through the air filter in your HVAC system. Maintaining the clean air filters within reach can ensure that your system runs smoothly. and efficiently and that everyone around them breathes fresh, clean air.

  On top of that, a dirty filter reduces airflow and comfort and causes the fan to use more electricity to move the air. In really bad cases, a clogged filter can cause problems in heating and air conditioning because that airflow through the heat exchanger is needed for everything to work as designed.

• Belts

  The belts in your HVAC system can wear and tear over time, causing your air conditioner to stop working properly, or even stop working at all. To keep your system running at peak performance, replacing and replacing your belts can reduce the risk of your HVAC not working. Not to mention that old, slipping belts are inefficient and cost money in wasted energy.

  If you start to hear strange noises in your HVAC system, a common cause could be a frayed belt that needs to be replaced. Contact a professional to help you keep your belts in the best possible condition. If you're not taking proactive steps to replace your belts before they break, you could face costly repairs down the road.

• Capacitors

  Here's what you need to know first: not all capacitors are the same. Any general heating or cooling system requires a capacitor to function properly. The size of your motor will be the determining factor as to how large your capacitor will be.

  Capacitors are necessary for the proper operation of an HVAC system, as they are used in air conditioning units to provide starting torque and improve the efficiency of motor operation. However, the quality of your capacitor is very important to the operation of your HVAC system. Using a poor quality condenser can ultimately damage the operating functions of your motor or, worse, stop it from working altogether.

  In many instances, it can be helpful to bring in a professional technician with the proper tools and knowledge to determine whether or not there are problems with your capacitor.

• Coil Capacitor Cleaners

  Your HVAC system does a tough job and inevitably things will happen that will affect your performance. One of those things is dirt build-up on the condenser coil.

  Your air conditioning system is equipped with two basic types of coils: evaporator and condenser. The evaporator coils extract humidity and heat from your premises, while the condenser coils expel the accumulated heat. Constant build-up can occur when the coils draw warm air from your premises.

  Build-up can range from bacteria, dust, dirt or grease and can create excessive blockage that will force your coils (and your air conditioner) to work harder and prevent them from operating at optimum efficiency. Without condenser coil cleaning, your HVAC will consume more energy than necessary to cool your facility. As part of your preventive maintenance planIf your HVAC should be cleaned at least once a year to ensure that your system runs smoothly and efficiently.

  The location of outdoor air conditioning equipment can have an extreme effect on the frequency with which condenser coils must be cleaned. Buildings located adjacent to high velocity traffic areas, such as highways, should be monitored and cleaned frequently during the spring, summer and fall.

• Contactors

  A reliable contractor is vital to the health of your HVAC system. Contactors control how and where electricity is delivered to certain parts of your unit to keep you comfortable indoors.

  When it is time for a cooling cycle, signals are sent to the contractor. Once notified, the contactor is lowered, allowing electricity to flow. When the thermostat is ready to finish its cooling cycle, the contractor will come up to stop the flow of electricity to your air conditioner.

  There are cases where your contractor may not be performing to the best of his ability. Many contactor failures are the result of compression damage that is not quickly repaired. Contactor replacement is a high voltage hazard and it is recommended that you seek help from a reliable professional. Staying on top of regular preventive maintenance contractors can help you identify hazards and failures before they become a problem.

• Fuses

  The fuses in your air conditioning and heating system could blow during a malfunction, so they need to be replaced from time to time. In an HVAC system, fuses are used in all compressors, evaporator coils, motors and wiring configurations. Fuses not only protect these components from overload, but also from overheating. Each component serves to complement the function of the other, so if one part fails, the remaining parts will also break down. As a result, the fuses are there to prevent your other components from breaking down.

  Keep a supply of fuses on hand for your equipment in case something blows. Troubleshoot problems quickly and promptly so that new fuses are installed and everything is up and running again quickly.

• Fan motor

  In some cases, known as the "heart" of HVAC equipment, fan motors are an important component in making sure your air conditioner works properly. The fan in your air conditioning unit helps circulate air in different regions of your facility. The fan motors in your HVAC system operate in harsh conditions for years, so overlooking maintenance issues can have serious impacts on your air conditioning unit and the comfort of its occupants.

  One of the biggest culprits of downtime is neglect of the motor shaft and bearings. Dirt can quickly build up in the bearings and cause your components to overheat as the motor works harder to produce an effective output for your HVAC system. When lubricating bearings, be careful not to over grease them. If you are unsure about lubrication protocols, consult your operating manual for the proper amount and frequency of grease for these bearings.

  Adopting routine maintenance or scheduling check-ups with a trusted technician to clean, grease or replace the fan motor will prolong the life of your air conditioning unit.

• Thermostat

  With how much we use our HVAC systems, it makes sense that we do everything we can to save energy and money. When it comes to the quality and use of your thermostat, it's important to understand how intertwined your thermostat and your HVAC system are. When the air temperature becomes too cold or too hot, it activates the thermostat which circulates hot or cold air throughout your facility. To make it easier for users to control, you can program your thermostat in advance or manually set it to the desired temperature.

  Some heating and cooling systems will have more than one thermostat that controls different zones in your facility, helping you save energy on heating and cooling costs. Delayed preventive maintenance can cause your thermostat to not heat or cool properly when needed, making your facility uncomfortable while wasting energy and money.

  Upgrading your thermostat will come in handy for any commercial building owner concerned about your bottom line. When it comes to maintaining your HVAC system, thermostat replacement is the best and most affordable thing you can do.

• Thermostat batteries

  To determine if your HVAC system is correctly displaying the correct temperature in your facility, your thermostat works together with your HVAC system to determine when your air conditioner or heater will turn on.

  But what happens when you suddenly see your thermostat display a low battery symbol? What does that mean and how does it affect your heating and cooling? Don't panic. It just means it's time to change the batteries in your thermostat. In general, it's essential to make sure you have batteries on hand for your thermostat at all times. Batteries help preserve your thermostat settings during unexpected power outages.

  Many thermostats require a 24-volt C-cable that provides power to your thermostats. If you are experiencing low battery warnings on your digital thermostat, a common cause may be underlying problems that are preventing your heating and cooling system from operating effectively and efficiently, which may mean you should call in an expert to assess the problem.

Keep an inventory of spare parts for HVAC systems.

For larger installations, it may be cost-effective to build up an inventory of spare parts for more expensive HVAC systems if you have five or more pieces of equipment that share parts such as:

• Engines
• Capacitors
• Gas valves
• Control panels
• Compressors
• Aspects
• Axes
• Boosters, etc.

Many of these items may not be supplied by a local distributor and may need to be shipped from the manufacturer and may take anywhere from 24 hours to more than six weeks before the parts arrive. Keep some of these items on hand. This provides a cost-saving opportunity because it avoids accelerated shipping costs and reduces the possibility of cascading failures.

In general, maintaining a checklist for the correct maintenance of the air handling unit Updating all the different parts of your HVAC system will help ensure that everything is running at full capacity. Need a little help on proactive and preventative solutions to keep your systems up and running? We invite you to learn more about how to achieve energy efficiency in industrial buildings with preventive maintenance workas well as to subscribe to our Newslettera newsletter that provides you with technical content about the best technological solutions for industrial plants, focused on automation and maintenance.