Summertime Maintenance
Summer HVAC Maintenance: Must-Do Tips for a Cool, Efficient Building
As the summer season kicks in, your building's HVAC system becomes one of its most important assets, and one of the most vulnerable. Without proper attention, even the best equipment can struggle to keep up with rising temperatures, resulting in costly repairs, energy waste, and uncomfortable conditions for occupants.
At National TAB Intelligence, we believe summer HVAC maintenance should go beyond the basics. It’s about understanding how your system performs under pressure and making smart moves to optimize performance, comfort, and efficiency.
Don’t Let Dirty Systems Ruin Efficiency
Outdoor condenser coils take the brunt of seasonal buildup, collecting dust, pollen, grease, and even airborne seeds like cottonwood. If coils are clogged, they can’t remove heat effectively, which means your system has to work harder to do less. This puts unnecessary stress on compressors and can eventually lead to short cycling or shutdowns. Regular cleaning and quarterly inspections of condenser coils and fans is a must.
Pay Close Attention to Indoor Coil Health and Drainage
Inside the unit, the evaporator coil and condensate system play critical roles. The coil transfers heat out of the air and condenses moisture to manage humidity. But when this coil is coated in dust or debris, it can’t perform either task effectively. That leads to recirculated heat, high humidity, and even the risk of water damage if drain pans or lines become blocked.
Prevent this by keeping evaporator coils clean and making sure condensate lines are clear and properly trapped. If water collects inside the unit, it could end up in ductwork or ceilings—causing bigger issues down the line.
Change Filters and Check Belts Before They Fail
It might seem simple, but filter changes and fan belt checks are among the most overlooked tasks in HVAC maintenance. Filters should be replaced every quarter, with at least a MERV 8 rating for commercial buildings. Fan belts, especially in older or belt-driven units, should be inspected for wear and tension. Don’t wait for a belt to deteriorate before replacing it.
And don’t forget about those metal mesh outdoor filters. They trap debris before it ever reaches your coil, but they need quarterly cleaning and full replacement every two years.
Test Makeup Air Units and Economizers
Makeup air units (MUA) with cooling components should be inspected for performance during peak summer months. Check the blower operation and confirm that temperature drops across the unit match manufacturer specs. This ensures the unit is doing its job to supply properly conditioned air to your building.
Similarly, economizers—which manage outdoor air intake—must be fully functional. When they’re stuck or improperly set, buildings can suffer from ventilation issues, humidity problems, and even mold growth. Clean components, verify damper operation, and test whether the economizer is opening and closing in response to demand.
Monitor to Stay Ahead of the Curve
A great maintenance plan doesn’t stop at inspections. Real-time monitoring tools like our M3 monitor take HVAC performance to the next level. M3 collects live data from your systems, tracking everything from temperature and pressure to cycling patterns and airflow balance.
Instead of reacting to breakdowns, you get ahead of them. M3 flags inefficiencies before they become problems and help optimize runtimes for better energy savings and equipment longevity. Whether it’s a failing fan motor, a drifting thermostat, or an airflow imbalance, M3 puts the insight in your hands when you need it.
Why It Matters
When HVAC systems run well, everyone wins: the building is comfortable, energy use stays under control, and costly emergency repairs are avoided. But when summer pushes systems to their limits, routine maintenance isn’t enough, you need a strategy built on data, experience, and a proactive mindset.
NTi is here to help you do just that.
