Especially for commercial kitchen managers, choosing the right time to switch your HVAC system from heat to air conditioning can
save you a bundle in energy costs. However, it can be difficult to determine when to make the switch. Moving to AC too early may unnecessarily increase your energy costs, but waiting too long can cause discomfort for your staff and those you serve. You’ll also want to slowly transition to air conditioning to ease the strain on your HVAC.
With all that in mind, how do you know when to make the seasonal change from heating to AC? As the days get longer and the temperature gets warmer, you may be wondering when to make the switch. Here are a few tips for choosing the best time to transition your commercial HVAC equipment from heating to AC.
1. Make the change to AC earlier rather than later.
Although you may be tempted to wait until the outside temperature really heats up, try to switch to AC before the heat becomes too intense. There are two reasons to consider switching early. First, you should keep in mind the physical comfort of those inside the building. Whether your commercial kitchen serves students, retired people, or the general public, keeping everyone comfortable is important.
The second reason to switch to air conditioning is to keep your commercial kitchen and your employees cool. Commercial kitchens can get extremely warm, making them uncomfortable for workers. Even though commercial equipment is built to withstand the heat, it’s not a great idea to have an overly warm environment. When the ambient air temperature is not at an ideal setting, your refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, and other cooling equipment will have to work much harder to do their jobs. If that’s the case,
you may end up with a higher energy bill
from your units that will cancel out any savings you may have from delaying the switch to AC.
2. Wait for a stretch of warm days.
Switching from heat to AC and then back again can drive up your energy costs. It also can be hard on your HVAC system and components. Ideally, you’ll want to make the switch from heat to AC on a single day, but we all know the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Using a trusted weather forecast, keep an eye out for a string of days when the weather is warming up. While you may end up with a colder day or two, a string of 7-10 warm days can signal that it’s time to make the switch.
3. Before you switch, have your HVAC system inspected.
While well-maintained AC equipment will last for years, an eight-month break is a long time for a piece of commercial equipment. A break in use during the winter can occasionally lead to operational issues, particularly with the condenser. At ATECH, we suggest a yearly checkup of your HVAC system to keep it running smoothly. An authorized service agent (ASA) can clean, inspect, and
test your HVAC to check that it’s operating optimally. Ideally, you should test your HVAC before you switch over to AC. That way, if there are any issues with the equipment, it can be remedied before warmer weather arrives.
Curious about when to switch from heat to AC?
The trusted team at
ATECH can help advise and guide you
when it comes to keeping your entire HVAC system up and running. Our customers run convenience stores, schools, nursing homes, grocery stores, correctional facilities, restaurants, and more, so we understand complex, multi-unit HVAC systems. If it’s been months since your commercial HVAC equipment was inspected, give us a call today to schedule an assessment.
Share On: