Investments in Maintenance Will Extend HVAC System Life
HVAC, construction, retrofit, preventive maintenance, maintainability April 24, 2008
I’m Ed Sullivan, editor of Building Operating Management magazine. Today’s topic is the role of maintenance investments in extending the life of HVAC systems.
Facility executives are well aware of the impact that new HVAC equipment can have on the organization’s bottom line. From variable frequency drives to variable air volume systems, from chillers to boilers, investments in HVAC efficiency can produce significant energy savings.
But achieving those savings over the life of HVAC systems requires that the units be kept in good operating condition. And that takes money.
Whether it’s a pump or a control, performance falls off as equipment ages. Preventive maintenance is the way to stay ahead of the curve. Waiting until something goes wrong will often increase energy costs and decrease occupant comfort and reliability. In the worst case, a wait-and-see attitude can dramatically reduce equipment life.
It’s not only the operating budget that should include funds for effective maintenance. The initial design should be based on maintainability. For example, it’s important that there be sufficient space around equipment to enable staff to perform needed maintenance. That may cost a little extra, but saving money on maintenance is a classic case of being penny-wise but pound-foolish.
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