The short answer: yes, it is. However, we know that just hearing a professional tell you that a particular service is important isn’t the only thing a savvy commercial building owner needs to know to make a decision.
That’s why we’re digging a little deeper into boiler service for commercial HVAC systems and why it’s a vital part of an ongoing HVAC maintenance program.
What does the boiler do?
It may sound elementary, but some commercial building owners may not be able to explain with much clarity just what the boiler is and what it does for the building. Don’t be embarrassed if that describes you, but don’t skim through this section either: it’s important.
At its most basic level, a commercial boiler is a pressurized system that turns combustible fuel (such as natural gas or fuel oil) or electricity into heat, which is then applied to water and/or steam, which is circulated throughout a building for heating purposes.
In older systems, radiators and similar equipment may fill with the heated water, dissipating the heat through radiation, before circulating it back through the heating system and into the boiler to be reheated as needed. More modern systems that work on similar principles include forced hot air (in which air that is heated by means of contact with the system’s heating elements or piping circulating hot water) and radiant heating in the floor, ceiling, or walls.
Where would you be without a boiler?
As you can tell from the description provided above, the boiler is a key component of your heating system. Perhaps the key component. Without a boiler, there is no heat. So, in the middle of the summer, it may not be on your radar, but as the weather cools, it can become noticeable rather quickly.
What’s more common than completely being without a functioning boiler, however, is dealing with a boiler that’s running inefficiently or that’s slowly declining due to age or condition. In this case, the boiler is likely costing you more money than it should, because it’s not using your fuel efficiently. It may also not be heating the building as it should, leading to tenant complaints and even property damage, depending on circumstances.
How much does it cost to replace a commercial boiler?
Since it’s such an integral part of your building’s HVAC system, it’s not surprising to hear that replacing a commercial boiler is not cheap.
Every building and system is different and the range in prices can be significant, especially when considering additional steps such as installation costs. Bottom line: while no boiler is going to last forever, you definitely don’t want your actions, or more importantly, inaction, to force you to replace your commercial boiler sooner than you must.
The best way to get the most out of your commercial boiler
The best way to get the most value out of your commercial boiler and helps control energy costs is to ensure your boiler is regularly inspected and serviced from the day it’s installed to the day it’s eventually replaced.
A planned maintenance program that includes routine inspections, cleaning, testing, and proactive repairs or replacements throughout the life of the boiler is the smartest and most financially responsible way to go about this. This program allows for a trained professional HVAC technician to perform all necessary maintenance activities on a predetermined optimal schedule, and gives them the opportunity to catch any unexpected repair or replacement needs before they turn into serious failure issues or end up harming other essential components of the HVAC system.
If you’d like to discuss setting up a planned maintenance program to make sure your commercial boiler remains in optimal running condition, we’d be delighted to talk with you. To learn more ways to keep your HVAC running properly, find out how to create an energy efficiency plan in minutes.
