Maintaining your HVAC Systems
3 tips to safely shut down, restart HVAC systems
by Babe Pañares
What happens when shuttered businesses reopen, after being frozen by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed to contain the Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19)?
The need to turn off the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings was abrupt for non-essential businesses – those unrelated to medical and food production and processing, banks, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics.
For these companies, “It is not a simple matter of turning the HVAC off and then on again,” explains Wilfredo Legaspi, general manager for HVAC of MSERV, the energy-solutions subsidiary of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
Illustration by Cindy Dy
“That could result in personal injury or damage to property, especially those involving heavy-duty chiller machines with refrigerants,” he continues. “HVAC systems are, by nature, dangerous due to moving parts and the potential for an electric shock.”
Legaspi strongly recommends working with a qualified service provider, and following a three-step process to service HVAC systems.
Read related article: Can airconditioning control germ spread?
1. Scoping, planning, and scheduling
Before switching off, you should conduct an initial on-site inspection to determine the scope of work. This allows for an expert review of your HVAC system’s fault history, and also helps identify deficiencies. Legaspi advises covering six months to one year of the machine's performance record as a basis for repair or parts replacement work.
At the planning stage, ensure everything is available, to complete the maintenance within the deadline period of two to three days. “There’s no turning back once we shut down the system,” Legaspi states.
You and your supplier must agree on the shutdown and maintenance schedule and the scope of the work.
2. Preventive and/or corrective maintenance
With the system shut down, your service provider executes preventive or corrective maintenance, or both. Preventive maintenance primarily involves cleaning, while corrective maintenance requires troubleshooting and parts replacement.
“We need to make sure the replacement components – from past moving transducers, sensors, filter drier to bearings, O-rings and oil pump repair kit – are available,” notes Legaspi.
This, Legaspi believes, is where MSERV's strength lies. “As an integrator, we have access to a wide array of resources from different manufacturers, and can use different brands.”
This is why maintenance ideally should not be handled by our clients in-house; they will most likely not have access to all these manufacturers.”
3. Final check before powering on
After the lockdown, do not rush to switch on your HVAC system. Legaspi suggests following a start-up checklist covering three key areas: machines, safety, and housekeeping.
The machine checklist ensures the settings and power supply are correct, fluid levels are optimal, and joints are leak-free.
Safety checks look out for loose wires, uncovered or unprotected moving parts, and unusual noises or vibrations.
Housekeeping keeps equipment cleaned and lubricated, and the HVAC environment free of debris. It makes sure necessary tools are stored in an accessible location, and everything is properly labeled.
Although the pandemic caught the world by surprise, Legaspi reveals MSERV has protocols in place.
“Companies regularly ask us to conduct regular shutdown and maintenance of their systems during Holy Week,” he explains. “We just have three days to do maintenance work, and replace broken material and equipment.”
Above all, Legaspi closes, Meralco’s support enables MSERV to deliver on its commitments and provide full support for all its field personnel, even under the most trying circumstances.
Story originally posted on Power Club.
To learn more, contact your Relationship Manager, call 16210 or email us at enterprise@meralco.com.ph.