There’s no point in denying it any longer; winter is well and truly here. In fact, your business has most likely had the heating on for the last several weeks. Hopefully, you and your employees are keeping warm without suffering any ill effects. However, if there have been issues with your heating system, it’s not too late to have them addressed.
Remember, winter has only just begun. There’s at least another three months’ worth, with January and February being traditionally the coldest. As a business owner, you have a responsibility to keep your workspace at a comfortable temperature for your employees, while providing them with clean air.
If your system needs maintenance or replacing, you’ll want to take care of that as soon as possible to avoid being stuck without a heating during the coldest months which are right around the corner. So, with that in mind, here are five signs that indicate it might be time for a new heating system.
Energy Costs are Rising
If your utility bills suddenly start increasing or are more than they were this time last year, that’s a sure sign that your heating system is running inefficiently. If this is a chronic occurrence, chances are your commercial heating requires maintenance or may even need to be replaced with a newer, more efficient system. In addition to replacing old office or manufacturing equipment with energy-efficient models as needed, a new heating system can save you a significant amount of money on energy costs during the colder months.
Parts are Broken or Malfunctioning
If you spot excessive moisture on walls and windows, or rust on pipes and appliances, it’s probably the fault of your heating system. If the problem is serious enough, your system will likely need to be replaced.
If your system is noisy or hums frequently, this could be a sign it’s in need of repair or replacement. A properly functioning heating system should not hum, buzz or rattle. Additionally, if you have to make frequent repairs to your heating system, the cost of new one could outweigh the cost of these consistent, ever-increasingly expensive repairs.
Heating Has Become Uneven
If your commercial space is experiencing unexplained swings in temperature, or if different parts of the space have different temperature complaints, your heating system isn’t working correctly. If the usual maintenance and service isn’t fixing the issue, the equipment may be beyond repair and need replacement.
Increased Illness and Sick Days
If you’ve noticed employees are getting sick more often, your heating system could be to blame. Dry air from a lack of humidity can be caused by a faulty heating system, while an inability to properly distribute heat can lead to more colds and sick days. Excessively dry air can also impact the plants in your workspace, while exacerbating allergy symptoms. If heater filters aren’t regularly cleaned or replaced, there could even be more serious issues to deal with.
Unusual Noises or Odours
There’s definitely something wrong if your heating system is making grinding or squealing noises. Address these noises immediately as this is a sign that equipment is failing and could soon break down. Depending on the source of the issue, typical maintenance may not be enough to fix the problem.
In addition to noises, unusual odours coming from your heating system are a serious sign of trouble and should not be ignored. In this situation, indoor air quality may be compromised, putting everyone in the building at risk of airborne disease. Unusual odours indicate at least a partial system failure and will almost certainly require equipment replacement.
If your commercial heating system is in need of replacement, get in touch with us today. At Air Conditioning World, we have a wide range of commercial heating systems that are ideal for variety of workspaces. Contact us for more information on the right one for your business.