Why Is My Commercial Air Conditioner Not Getting Cool?

During the hottest days of the year, commercial buildings, such as stores, restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, and other locations, provide a place of refuge for people looking to beat the heat. When the temperature outside becomes unbearable and customers need somewhere cooler to go, your business might be just the place. Indeed, studies have shown that businesses receive a boost in revenue on hot days if they offer an air-conditioned space for the public to take shelter.

Not surprisingly, AC can make a difference in how well you and your employees perform as well. From comfort levels to air quality, HVAC systems play an important role in supporting the productivity and health and well-being of everyone working in a building.

This all means that a faulty air conditioning system can hurt your bottom line, so if your commercial AC unit isn’t providing adequate cooling power, then you’ll need to do some troubleshooting. You’ll also have to determine if you can fix the problem yourself or if you need to call a commercial air conditioner repair company.

Keep reading to learn about some of the most common problems that can plague a commercial air conditioner and hamper its effectiveness. We’ll also offer some basic troubleshooting tips and help you determine when it’s time to call the professionals.

Blocked Airflow

Commercial air conditioners are built to provide more cooling power than their residential counterparts simply because most businesses and other public spaces are larger and have more rooms to accommodate. This added power can eventually cause problems, as the continuous blowing of industrial-scale fans will carry dust, dirt, and pollen throughout the ventilation systems of the building. While the building’s HVAC system is equipped to collect these airborne impurities, the filtration system will eventually become oversaturated unless the filters are regularly cleaned and occasionally replaced.

An excess of dust, dirt, and other pollutants will do more than just hamper the cooling ability of the AC unit. It will also have a negative impact on the indoor air quality. This can exacerbate allergies and other respiratory conditions, creating a health risk for employees and visitors in the building. For this reason, it’s crucial that businesses invest in regular cleaning and inspections for the ductwork in their buildings.

Occasionally, other obstructions can also block the flow of air in a building. Vents may be blocked by shelving, furniture, and other objects. If you notice that some areas are effectively cooling and others are not, the simple reason may be that there is a physical blockage somewhere that must be removed.

Thermostat Problems

It’s also possible that your commercial AC unit is not getting cool because there is a problem with the thermostat. Even if the rest of the system is functioning optimally, the thermostat is the “brain” of the air conditioner and is responsible for signaling it to switch on and off. If there is an interruption between that signal and the machinery itself, the system may fail to cycle on even during hot weather.

There are several issues that can lead to thermostat problems, with faulty wiring being among the most common. This is an issue that must be addressed by a licensed electrician or HVAC professional, as it cannot be safely repaired without proper training. Another frequent problem that can interfere with the effective operation of the thermostat is a buildup of dirt on the thermometer itself. If this occurs, it can give an accurate temperature reading. You may be able to fix this yourself with some contact cleaner. However, severely corroded connections will need to be repaired by an HVAC professional.

Dirty Coils

The coolant coils themselves are the element that provides the actual cooling. They operate by utilizing a highly pressurized coolant fluid to draw heat energy out of the air as it passes over them. However, any obstruction that blocks this transfer of energy will force the system to work that much harder to bring the temperature down to the desired level, meaning that the cooling efficiency of the HVAC system will be dramatically reduced. Most often, this obstruction is due to a buildup of dirt on the coolant coils themselves; this occurs naturally over time as a result of the continuous flow of air.

You can determine if the coils are dirty through a simple visual inspection. During the summer, heavy use can cause them to begin to blacken, as thick layers of dust accumulate. To prevent this from impacting the effectiveness of your HVAC system, you should clean the coils regularly using a specialized cleaning product designed for the task, such as Simple Green Coil Cleaner. A specialty brush is also recommended to help avoid scratching or otherwise damaging the coils.

Refrigerant Leaks

The machinery may also fail to function effectively if the coolant begins to leak out of the coils, which is another fairly common problem. For the refrigerant to effectively provide cooling, the refrigerant chemical must remain pressurized. If it begins to leak, a drop in pressure will occur that can cause the system to fail to provide adequate cooling. Leaks can be the result of sudden damage to the system or long-term wear and tear.

If your commercial air conditioner isn’t getting cool and you suspect a problem with the refrigerant coils, you can determine if they are leaking by spraying them with a solution of soap and water. If you notice bubbles, it is likely due to a leak. If the coils are covered in a layer of frost, this can also be the result of a leak, since this problem interferes with the transfer of heat energy. In either case, you will need to contact a commercial air conditioner repair professional from a company, such as All Weather Heating & Cooling. They can repair this and other common issues so your system operates efficiently and optimally once again.