The Basics: Part I

Timely maintenance can prevent undue expense, extend the life of facilities and prevent worker injury. Keeping work areas clean and neat encourages employees and clients to handle things with care.

If the business maintains a regular inspection and maintenance schedule potential problems and expense can be avoided. For example it is recommended that filters for roof top HVAC systems be inspected every 3-4 weeks with replacement and maintenance as needed. According to "Contracting Business.com" online magazine "Dirty filters block normal air flow and significantly reduce a system's efficiency. With normal air flow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil's heat-absorbing capacity."

Then follows a series of malfunctions including a failed heat exchanger detailed on their website. It makes more sense to replace air filters regularly than to go to the expense of replacing a heat exchanger.

The article goes on to describe in detail other maintenance checks and why they are important.

For a helpful HVAC maintenance checklist go to EnergyStar.com

For a sample checklist for building and grounds maintenance click on "Housing Provider Kit."

Keeping to a maintenance schedule will over time save your business money on repairs, resources and prevent costly interruptions in production due to malfunctions.