3 Steps to Revamp Your HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan

Our HVAC Maintenance Checklist is another of our blog’s most popular posts, and this follow-up ends the series for “Top Posts” (since the blog started in 2008).

In the previous HVAC maintenance checklist post we pointed to the Buildings magazine article, “Revamp Your Preventative Maintenance for 2009.” Even though it’s three years later, the information is as relevant as ever. The magazine recommends focusing on three steps in laying out a preventative maintenance program: inventory and inspection; preventative maintenance program software; and employee involvement.

1. Inventory and inspection. When preparing a physical inventory of your building’s HVAC system, take note of all the essential information for the equipment. You can learn more about the inventory procedure in our Learning Center document HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist. The inventory should include the manufacturer’s name, model number, warranty information, specifications, date of manufacture and condition of the equipment. After the inventory is created, routine inspections can identify problems so you can catch issues early on before major damage occurs.
2. Preventative maintenance (PM) program software. The PM program software makes the system management process simpler. The software organizes the PM process including tracking inspections, maintenance, checklists and schedules. Most software programs include reports and also integrate a cost analysis. Facility management has gone mobile in the past few years, with programs connected to smartphones. Buildings magazine outlines a few smartphone application options in the article “Facility Management Mobile Applications.”
3. Employee involvement. Facility management involves everyone who inhabits the building. Buildings magazine recommends training all staff in case an emergency occurs and trained staff is not readily available. Your employees should undergo training not only when a system is installed, but also on a regular schedule. Audit staff members to test what they know; they might have forgotten much of the information that was taught in the training classes. A poor understanding of how the system operates can adversely affect system management. Periodic training should offer new information as systems can and do change often. With staff turnover, much of the learned information leaves and a new employee needs an opportunity to catch up with the pack.

A new series starts next week with two checklists on “Cleaning Boilers” and “Cleaning Heat Exchangers.” Learn how to effectively remove deposits from boilers and heat exchangers. Clean equipment equals better performance and higher energy efficiency.

Next Steps:

• Check out our Learning Center on Industrial Maintenance Cleaning Equipment.
• Use our How to Develop an HVAC Maintenance Checklist.
• Subscribe to our blog to be alerted of the posts in our “Cleaning Boilers” and “Cleaning Heat Exchangers” series.
• Stay up to date on facility maintenance tools such as chiller tube cleaners, boiler tube cleaners, hose/pipe cleaners, descaler systems, industrial vacuums, commercial pressure washers, and drain cleaners.

Want to Save 10% on
Your Next HVAC Purchase?

Click to activate a 10% coupon or insert the coupon code 10PERCENT upon checkout.