If you’ve ever relied on the old adage, “out of sight, out of mind,” it’s probably gotten you in trouble, right? No matter how many issues we manage to sweep under the rug, they always seem to creep back out at the most inconvenient times.

Take your car, for example: Most of us are pretty good about handling “the big stuff” when it comes to keeping our car running right. Things like changing the oil, filling the tires, and running it through the carwash.

You may take it even further by checking the charge on the battery, replacing plugs and wires, and checking the condition of hoses. These items are well-known, fairly obvious, and easy to keep top-of-mind.  In the case of the tires and the oil, there’s even a little warning light in the dash that let’s you know if they need attention.

But when is the last time you thought to inspect your car’s universal joints? When did you last dig out the O2 sensor and clean corrosion off the terminals, or verify tighten the bolts hanging your catalytic converter? These parts of your car are just as likely to wear out or break down as the other more common items you’re always thinking about. They’re just not as well-known or as readily noticeable.

In other words, they’re out of sight. And so, they’re out of mind… until they break.

When HVAC issues are “out of sight”

Your commercial building’s HVAC system is largely out of sight too. Probably up on the roof, down in the basement, tucked behind walls, above drop ceilings, and in out-of-the-way mechanical rooms… out of sight, and therefore out of mind.

Like any other machine, they’re going to wear out over time, get dirty, become less efficient, and even break down unexpectedly. And, just like your car, these issues can cause a minor nuisance or real disaster, depending on the circumstances.

As a building owner or facility manager, the question you need to answer is, “am I ‘looking under the hood’ and really seeking out those maintenance opportunities that may usually be out of sight? Or am I just waiting for the next HVAC disaster?”

Is HVAC maintenance really worth the cost?

It may be tempting to take a wait-and-see approach to system maintenance. After all, an HVAC system can chug along just fine, sometimes for years, without much of a problem. Even when the system begins aging, the first issues may be very minor: an unpleasant odor, a slight rise in utility costs, some quirks in the way the thermostats work. Your employees are still warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so there’s no harm, right? Wrong.

Like your car, your commercial HVAC system is a large investment. It’s an asset that you’re counting on to keep all your other physical assets - the building, the equipment, stored valuables, not to mention your employees - safe and secure from environmental problems and discomfort for years to come.

If that system isn’t properly maintained it won’t last as long as it should, and it could end up requiring far more in monthly operating costs due to inefficiencies. Of course, the worst-case scenario is that your unmaintained HVAC equipment could even lead to truly costly and dangerous disasters.

Is Neglecting HVAC maintenance really worth the cost?

Here are just a few potential results of failing to properly maintain your commercial HVAC system:

• Unhealthy air quality - Mold, fungus, pollutants
• Increased employee sick time
• Uncomfortable/drastic temperature fluctuations
• Increased employee frustration
• Decreased morale
• Decreased productivity
• Inefficiency / frequent repair / early replacement of equipment
• Unnecessarily high energy costs
• Unnecessarily high repair costs
• Unnecessarily high capital expenditures for major replacements
• The cost of repeated downtime
• Clogged, broken, worn out system components
• Loss of heat
• Loss of air conditioning
• Catastrophic flooding
• Fire
• Explosion

Don’t let your HVAC system fall victim to the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset. Consider a comprehensive HVAC maintenance agreement with professionals trained to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently, and for as long as possible, so you and your tenants can enjoy a clean, comfortable, and productive work environment.

Looking for help protecting your commercial building in Colorado, Arizona and Virginia? Learn more about our planned maintenance program or contact us to learn how we can protect your commercial mechanical systems with preventative maintenance.