The maintenance of air conditioning and ventilation systems in a commercial space requires special attention, as this type of building is busier and less ventilated than residential buildings. Furthermore, commercial premises may include equipment or food products sensitive to air quality, temperature, and humidity.
Equipped with an indoor air conditioning unit that produces cold air and an outdoor unit that exhausts hot air, the role of the wall-mounted air conditioner also involves purifying the air through filters before redistributing it. Over time, dust and bacteria accumulate and risk spreading throughout the air conditioning unit. This is why wall-mounted air conditioner cleaning must be performed regularly by a qualified professional. Read on to discover the benefits and prices of air conditioning cleaning.
3 benefits of an air conditioner in a business
Improving the shopping experience
Providing good air quality and a comfortable ambient temperature for your business improves your customers’ shopping experience. A pleasant atmosphere encourages visitors to stay longer in your space, which helps increase sales and build customer loyalty.
Increasing your company’s productivity
Air conditioning is essential for ensuring the comfort of your employees. It helps protect their health and improve their productivity. Superior air quality within your building reduces costs related to health and sick leave.
Preserving equipment and products
Intense heat can threaten the condition of your equipment, such as IT hardware or refrigeration equipment. The proper functioning of the air conditioner helps prevent overheating issues in electronic devices and extends their lifespan. It also helps regulate humidity and prevent the degradation of merchandise.
Why clean your commercial air conditioner?
Improving air quality
Air quality is a vital element in terms of occupational health and safety. The commercial building manager must ensure the circulation of healthy air that does not harm the health of employees and customers. Indoor air in a professional environment can contain several contaminants:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) from building occupants and combustion produced by heating appliances (for example, gas and oil boilers);
- Carbon monoxide (CO) from automobile exhaust gases introduced into the building through air intakes;
- Dust, fiberglass, asbestos, and gases released by construction materials;
- Vapors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from photocopiers and printers, computers, carpets, furniture, cleaners, disinfectants, paints, etc.;
- Microbial contaminants, fungi, mold, and bacteria developed in damp areas, etc.;
- Ozone (O3) from photocopiers, electric motors, and electrostatic air purifiers.
All impurities should be trapped by the air conditioner’s filters. To ensure this role, you must regularly perform filter cleaning and duct cleaning. Otherwise, clogged filters become favorable environments for the development of bacteria, and polluted air will be exhausted into the space and breathed in by its occupants. Similarly, if the ventilation ducts are dirty, dust and harmful particles will be projected into the ambient air.
Eliminating bad odors and humidity
Unpleasant odors can be caused by mold, fungi, perspiration, and cooking smells in the case of restaurants. If the filters are saturated, they fail to purify the air, and the bad odor will be redistributed throughout the space. Impurities in the air conditioner prevent the dehumidification of the space. This is felt as an uncomfortable sensation of heat. Therefore, be sure to clean the filters or replace them if necessary.
Extending the lifespan of the air conditioning system
Whether it is a wall-mounted air conditioner, a wall-mounted heat pump, or another type of device, air conditioning maintenance helps maintain good condition and maximize the system’s lifespan. A well-maintained wall-mounted air conditioner can operate for up to 15 years. This makes your investment profitable and reduces its ecological impact. Air conditioning cleaning specifically prevents system overheating, which can damage several parts of the unit, such as the compressor.
Optimizing performance
Air conditioner cleaning and maintenance are necessary to optimize its performance:
- Power;
- Energy consumption
- Cooling capacity;
- Ventilation capacity;
- Air purification;
- Airflow direction;
- Automatic mode;
- Noise level;
- etc.
Saving money
When the cooling capacity is optimal, the difference between the desired indoor temperature and the ambient temperature is reduced, which minimizes the air conditioner’s effort and its energy consumption. Conversely, if the air conditioner is obstructed, it requires a lot of energy to disperse air throughout the building.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cleaning and changing filters allows you to save 5% to 15% on your bill. Other analyses have shown that a poorly maintained appliance consumes 25% to 30% more electricity. Periodic maintenance of your air conditioning system also allows you to avoid premature wear of the air conditioner as well as repair costs and the frequent purchase of new components.
Why perform ventilation duct cleaning?
What are the risks associated with a poorly maintained air conditioning system?
Neglecting air conditioner maintenance can lead to harmful consequences for the health of occupants, the condition of the building, and the quality of the environment.
Legionnaires’ disease
Legionnaires’ disease is an illness caused by the Legionella bacterium. Symptoms of this disease include fever, a severe cough, headaches, respiratory infections, etc. The elderly and young children are the most exposed to this disease. Contamination occurs through the inhalation of microscopic droplets expelled by a dirty or defective cooling system.
Allergies
Inadequate air conditioner maintenance can worsen allergies, as contaminated air contains allergens.
Mold and fungi
High humidity in the air conditioning system promotes the growth of mold and fungi. The main symptoms are:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat;
- Runny nose, sinus congestion, and other cold symptoms;
- Wheezing;
- Coughing;
- Worsening of asthma attacks;
- Chronic fatigue, headaches, etc.
Fire
When ventilation circuits are obstructed by dirt or damaged by pests, they can overheat the air conditioning system and lead to a fire.
Noise pollution
The extra effort provided by a clogged air conditioner produces intense noise that disturbs the comfort of employees and customers.
Ecological impact
Air conditioning maintenance is essential to ensure the installation’s airtightness and prevent the leakage of refrigerant, classified as a greenhouse gas.
9 good reasons to clean your air ducts
How often should a wall-mounted air conditioner be cleaned?
As a general rule, a complete cleaning of a wall-mounted air conditioner within a commercial, industrial, or healthcare building should be performed once a year.
What factors influence the required cleaning frequency?
The frequency of cleaning and maintenance for an air conditioning system depends on several factors:
- Manufacturer’s recommendations;
- Type of building;
- Type of heating;
- Air conditioner power;
- Usage volume;
- Foot traffic;
- Outdoor temperature.
Some manufacturers require an annual maintenance contract to benefit from the legal warranty. Do not hesitate to call a professional air conditioning maintenance and commercial ventilation service if you notice:
- Weak cooling;
- Intense noise;
- Unpleasant odor;
- Water leak;
- High energy bill.
How much does it cost to clean a commercial air conditioner?
The price for cleaning a commercial air conditioning unit generally varies between $200 and $300. Rates are determined based on:
- the size of the area to be treated;
- accessibility to the air conditioning and cleaning equipment;
- the level of dirt in the installations;
- the products used;
- the location of the commercial building.
What is the price of ventilation duct cleaning?
Why entrust commercial air conditioner cleaning to professionals?
- Expertise: specialized air conditioning technicians have the appropriate cleaning techniques to ensure long-term air quality
- More than just a cleaning: during the cleaning of the air conditioning system, professionals can identify other potential problems that may disrupt the operation of your device.
- Guaranteed work: a professional’s intervention is necessary for a deep cleaning of all elements of the air conditioning system without any risk of damage during the disassembly and assembly of components.
- Speed: professionals are equipped with the skills to perform complete maintenance of your air conditioning system quickly without hindering the progress of activity within the commercial premises.
Commercial air conditioner cleaning services
Experts in commercial air conditioner cleaning, the technicians at Nettoyage Service Plus are able to effectively clean the air conditioners in your space (retail store, restaurant, hotel, office, gym, etc.). We proceed to remove all debris and impurities from the fan to the condenser, including the air exchanger and filters.
Our team also specializes in ventilation duct cleaning to eliminate dust mites, bacteria, fungi, and all particles that can degrade air quality. Concerned about the ecological impact, we use professional maintenance equipment and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
