Consistent temperature is essential to comfort. Unfortunately, commercial spaces can sometimes develop unwanted hot or cold spots. There are various reasons for this. Here, we’ll explore some common causes of inconsistent temperature throughout a commercial space and some possible solutions.
Obstructed Airflow
One cause of unwanted warm or cold spots in your commercial space can be airflow obstructions. Even if your HVAC unit is pushing out sufficient airflow, obstructions that block vents or prevent air from circulating can be a problem. This can be furniture, cubicle walls, ceiling fixtures, and more.
Examine the area where these spots are occurring. If you see large furniture or other possible obstructions blocking the airflow path, rearranging the space may fix the issue. Additionally, you can have fans strategically installed in your commercial space to further help the flow of air.
Inadequate HVAC System Design
Another cause of uneven temperatures can be an improperly designed HVAC system. If an HVAC system isn’t tailored to the layout of the building, this can produce spots that don’t receive adequate cooling or heating. Some spaces may have been added to the building later, and the HVAC system wasn’t updated to account for this addition.
If you suspect the design needs to be reworked, consult with an HVAC company. They will help you conduct a comprehensive assessment of the space and redesign your system if it is needed. This can include recalculating the area’s requirements, updating any necessary ductwork, and more.
Insufficient Insulation
If your building isn’t insulated enough or there is uneven insulation, this can cause some parts of your space to have trouble warming or cooling as fast as others. This variance in insulation leads to persistently unwanted warm or cool spots.
The solution to this issue is to ensure that the building is properly insulated. This will increase system efficiency and help to keep the temperature more consistent throughout the space. Additionally, you also need to make sure that the ductwork is properly insulated.
Inconsistent Ventilation
Similar to a poor HVAC design for the building, there may simply not be enough vents for the space. Some areas may have more vents for better airflow. An inadequate number of vents in some areas of the space can lead to temperature differences.
Check the areas and see how many vents each area has and how it relates to the size of that area. If the part of your space that has unwanted warm or cold space has fewer vents, an HVAC company can install more in the trouble areas. This can help improve even air distribution throughout the space.
Thermostat Location
Thermostat placement can also impact the temperature regulation of your commercial space. If the thermostat is located in an area that gets direct sunlight or if it’s placed in a spot with a vent blowing air directly at it, this can cause issues. The thermostat may be getting a temperature reading for that specific area, but it’s not a good reflection of the entire space.
If it seems that the temperature is best right by the thermostat but other areas are uneven, an HVAC company may need to move the thermostat to a more central location. Additionally, you can consider having multiple thermostats installed for optimal control over a larger building.
Zoning Issues
A lack of HVAC zoning can lead to temperature unevenness. Additionally, improper zoning can also cause similar issues.
If you don’t have a zoned system, consider upgrading to one. This can be done by having dampers installed in the ventilation to better regulate the flow of air to different zones. A ductless multi-split system can also be a good zoning solution depending on the needs of your space. If you already have a zone control system and still have problems, make sure to have it professionally examined to check for any zoning issues.
Ductwork Air Leaks
Sometimes, the ducts in your system can start to leak air out of them. If a leak occurs, then the vents affected by that duct can have insufficient airflow and temperature as a result. This can particularly affect areas that are further away from the central unit.
Have your ductwork inspected for possible leaks and get them sealed to fix this issue. A technician should inspect all of your ductwork for possible leaks. They may have a better idea of where the problem is depending on what part of the space is having temperature issues.
Occupancy Level Variance
Different parts of your commercial building will likely vary in their respective occupancy levels. The variance in occupancy of areas can also impact the temperature of that space. High occupancy may need additional cooling while low occupancy areas may need additional heating.
You can do an audit of the occupancy levels of your space and adjust the temperatures accordingly. Additionally, you can have occupancy sensors and other automated controls installed to have the temperature adjusted dynamically. Basing temperature settings on real-time occupancy levels may also help the system work more efficiently, saving money on energy bills.
Sun Exposure and Building Orientation
Another thing that can affect the temperature consistency of your space is the building orientation and amount of sun exposure. Areas that receive more sunlight will heat up faster. Areas with little sunlight will remain cooler.
Window treatments like reflective film, blinds, and even curtains can help reduce sun exposure. Landscaping decisions like tree placement or other shading options can also help. Additionally, you can adjust temperature settings in zones based on that zone’s location in the building and sun exposure.
Neglected Maintenance
Insufficient maintenance of your HVAC system can severely affect its performance. Moving components can receive wear and tear at a faster rate. This can lead to unwanted warm and cold spots. It can also cause other issues like poor indoor air quality and higher energy bills.
You should schedule regular ongoing maintenance of your system to ensure that your system effectively warms or cools your space when needed. In addition to helping your system run more efficiently, regular maintenance can also help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. Insurance and warranties usually require system maintenance to be performed regularly. If you neglect this required maintenance, a claim may be denied due to negligence.
Aging HVAC System
While good maintenance can help extend the life of an HVAC system, there is a point where an inefficient and aging system isn’t worth the upkeep and repair work. An older model may work much harder to warm or cool your space, resulting in insufficient temperature consistency.
If your system is older and having issues with even temperature throughout your space, it may be time to update to a modern system that is more energy efficient. Contact an HVAC company to assess your system. They may find that you only need to replace certain components of your system instead of a complete system replacement.
Your Trusted Professionals
Do you have a commercial space located in San Antonio, TX or the surrounding area and need HVAC services? Rosenberg Plumbing & Air is eager to help. We offer extensive commercial HVAC services, including installation, maintenance, and repairs. We can also help with ice machine repair and low-temperature bio-plasma freezers. We also cover HVAC services for residential homes and offer some plumbing services. Whether you need help with an HVAC system or want information about one of our other services, please contact Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today!
Tags: Commercial HVAC, Heating and Cooling