As an experienced HVAC company in Colorado Springs, we’ve seen first-hand what harsh Colorado weather can do to an AC unit. Hail and snow can cause many problems for an HVAC unit, because it doesn’t evaporate right away. This leaves AC condensers extremely vulnerable to destruction. Protecting your rooftop AC unit will enable your HVAC unit to work more efficiently, and will help you avoid costly repairs. At Planet Duct, we hope to help educate you on different rooftop HVAC unit protection methods, and show you just how much of a difference it can truly make.
Managing a commercial space can be stressful, and the last thing you want to worry about is your rooftop HVAC unit being damaged. When your rooftop HVAC unit isn’t functioning properly, it can cause serious consequences for you, including increased electricity bills. One of the most common damages of a rooftop HVAC unit is damaged condenser fins. When the condenser fins are damaged, it restricts air from being able to flow properly. This restricted airflow causes the HVAC unit to work harder, and therefore causes you to see a spike in your electricity bills. In an effort to remain transparent and honest with our customers, we’ve included a video that shows the stark differences between a protected AC unit and an unprotected one.
Educational Video Transcript
Hey, good morning everyone! It’s Brandon with Planet Duct | Air Duct Cleaning. I’m on a commercial building today just taking a look at a couple units. We’re going to be cleaning the ventilation system on this this building, but, I’m just looking at some of the rooftop units: this one’s got a nice grate here that covers up the condenser coils and keeps the fins nice and straight, which is really nice! Definitely still needs a cleaning, but, having this grate on here is very important. If you’ve got a rooftop unit, and somebody’s taking that grate off, you’re going to want to replace it with something: some steel mesh, something like that to protect those condenser coils.
If you guys have rooftop units, maybe get up on there and take a look at them and see if the fins on the condenser coil here have been crushed or smashed by hail or anything else, or even just vandalized. Then, get some steel mesh or a grate on here to protect them; to keep your system running efficiently. So, just something to think about, um, if you guys have rooftop units, and if you ever want me to go up and take a look at it for you I’m more than happy to do that. I’m Brandon Kirk, I’m with Planet Duct | Air Duct Cleaning, and we’re stronger than the vacuum of space! If we can help you, we’re at 719-728-5111 or you can check out our nerdy website at PlanetDuct.com. Y’all have a great day!
Unfortunately, if you don’t have a side grate and you leave condenser coils exposed, you have no protection against hail. Hail can fall down on your AC unit and smash the fins, causing permanent damage.’This is just like the radiator on a car: if the fins are exposed, then that air is supposed to be able to pass through which is very important for the unit to function efficiently. When a rooftop HVAC unit has exposed fins, they may crushed and smashed in which means air flow is not getting through in the way it’s supposed to. This will make the system extremely inefficient and the operating costs will go through the roof in order to get your get your space cooled to the proper temperature. This is something to watch for if you have rooftop units. Maybe get up on there, look at them, and see if the see if the fins on the condenser coil have been damaged by hail or anything else like vandalism. Get some steel mesh or a grate on them to protect and to keep your system running efficiently.
Ways To Protect Your Rooftop HVAC Unit
- Metal or Plywood Cages
- Shielding your HVAC system from debris is an important part of maintaining its longevity. You can use a specially-designed metal or plywood cage to help protect your air conditioning unit from strong winds and flying debris. These cages protect your unit, while still allowing efficient airflow.
- Tarps
- Hail is one of the biggest culprits of rooftop HVAC unit damages. To protect your unit, you can cover it with a thick, breathable tarp. You want to make sure the cover has a tight fit so that it prevents hail from entering and damaging the coils and fins.
Air Duct Units So Clean, They’ll Sparkle From Space
At Planet Duct, we believe in sharing our galaxy-worth of knowledge with the Colorado Springs community. Our team of HVAC experts want you to know how to maintain your personal or commercial HVAC unit, and keep it running efficiently. It’s important to ensure your unit is protected in order to fend off the elements, and save on your electricity bill. Having a well-maintained air conditioning unit will also give you the peace of mind that the air flowing through your space is safe. If you would like our team to check on your rooftop HVAC unit, or if you have any other questions concerning your heating and air conditioning system, please give us a call.
