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 wall-mounted air conditioner also purifies 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 of air conditioning cleaning and what affects its cost.

3 benefits of an air conditioner in a business

Improving the shopping experience

Providing good air quality and a comfortable ambient temperature in 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 can reduce 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. A properly functioning air conditioner helps prevent overheating of electronic devices and extends their lifespan. It also helps regulate humidity and prevent the degradation of merchandise.

Commercial cleaning services

Why clean your commercial air conditioner?

Improving air quality

Air quality is a vital element 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, fibreglass, 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, mould and bacteria that develop in damp areas, etc.;
Ozone (O3) from photocopiers, electric motors and electrostatic air purifiers.

All these impurities should be trapped by the air conditioner’s filters. For the filters to do their job, you must regularly perform filter cleaning and duct cleaning. Otherwise, clogged filters become favourable environments for the development of bacteria, and polluted air will be released into the space and breathed in by its occupants. Similarly, if the ventilation ducts are dirty, dust and harmful particles will be blown into the ambient air.

Eliminating bad odours and humidity

Unpleasant odours can be caused by mould, fungi, perspiration and, in the case of restaurants, cooking smells. If the filters are saturated, they fail to purify the air, and the bad odour is redistributed throughout the space. Impurities in the air conditioner also prevent the dehumidification of the space, which 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 keep the system in good condition and maximize its lifespan. A well-maintained wall-mounted air conditioner can operate for many years, which makes your investment pay off and reduces its ecological impact. Air conditioning cleaning also 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;

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 move air throughout the building.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cleaning or replacing clogged filters can lower an air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%. A poorly maintained appliance also uses more electricity. Periodic maintenance of your air conditioning system also helps you avoid premature wear of the air conditioner, as well as repair costs and the frequent purchase of new parts.

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. Its symptoms include fever, a severe cough, headaches and respiratory infections. Older adults are among 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.

Mould and fungi

High humidity in the air conditioning system promotes the growth of mould 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.

Decontamination services

Fire

When ventilation circuits are obstructed by dirt or damaged by pests, they can cause the air conditioning system to overheat and lead to a fire.

Noise pollution

The extra effort required of a clogged air conditioner produces intense noise that disturbs the comfort of employees and customers.

Ecological impact

Air conditioning maintenance is essential to keep the installation airtight and prevent the leakage of refrigerant, which is 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 in 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 keep their warranty valid. Do not hesitate to call a professional air conditioning maintenance and commercial ventilation service if you notice:

Weak cooling;
Intense noise;
Unpleasant odour;
Water leak;
High energy bill.

How much does it cost to clean a commercial air conditioner?

The cost of cleaning a commercial air conditioning unit varies from one building to another and depends on the number of units to be cleaned. 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.

To find out the exact cost for your units, call Nettoyage Service Plus at 514 505-2500 or request a free quote.

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 good air quality over the long term.
More than just a cleaning: while cleaning the air conditioning system, professionals can identify other potential problems that may disrupt the operation of your unit.
Careful work: a professional’s intervention is necessary for a deep cleaning of all elements of the air conditioning system while limiting the risk of damage during the disassembly and reassembly of components.
Speed: professionals have the skills to perform complete maintenance of your air conditioning system quickly, while limiting disruption to activities within your 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 remove debris and impurities from the fan to the condenser, including the air exchanger and filters.

Our team also specializes in ventilation duct cleaning to remove dust mites, bacteria, fungi and the particles that can degrade air quality. Mindful of the ecological impact, we use professional maintenance equipment and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

To schedule the cleaning of your commercial air conditioners, call us at 514 505-2500 or get a free quote.

How much does commercial wall-mounted AC cleaning cost?