Repair or Replace: What to do When Your Commercial HVAC System Stops Working

Kennewick and the surrounding area get very hot during the summer months. It’s not uncommon for the temperature to reach the 90’s for several days in a row. This means your company’s commercial HVAC system must be running at top capacity in order to combat the heat.

The last thing a customer wants is to walk into a restaurant, store, or any other commercial building and have the air feel hot, still, and stuffy. They will walk right back out! This is why it is such a problem when your HVAC system stops working on a hot summer day. You know you need to fix the situation as quickly as possible, but what’s the solution? Can you repair the problem or do you need to replace the unit all together? These are the factors that will determine the answer:

#1 The age of the commercial HVAC unit

No matter how well-made and how well-cared for a machine is, it will eventually come to the end of its useful life. It is possible your HVAC unit is there now. According to the Department of Energy, the average lifespan of an air conditioning unit is between 15 and 20 years. If your unit is more than 10 years old, we recommend you consider replacing your unit with a more efficient version.

#2 The type of refrigerant needed

If you still listened to music on a record player, eventually you’d have trouble finding the parts you need to make your machine work. Your HVAC is the same way, especially the refrigerant. Most newer models have R-410a refrigerant, which is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative. Older HVAC models have what is known as R-22 refrigerant. This is becoming much more expensive as it gets phased out. If your system needs a R-22 refrigerant, this can add an extra $1,000 to your HVAC repairs.

#3 Energy efficiency 

It’s quite possible that if your HVAC unit is very old, it’s more cost effective to replace it than repair it. This is because newer models are so much more efficient, the most you save in monthly electric bills will pay for the unit in no time at all. Replacing an old AC unit with a new energy efficient model may cost you more up front, but if you are planning on being in the same building for another few years, the savings from your new unit can more than make up for the costs.

Coffey Ref has the trained and experienced commercial HVAC technicians you need! Reach out to us and let us know a little bit about what’s going on. We’ll provide you with a HVAC repair estimate and be to your Kennewick commercial location soon. You can even fill out your forms online! We’ll do our best to repair the problem, but if a new unit is required we can work with you to ensure it is both top-quality and affordable.