Your HVAC system is a blessing most of the time. It gives you heat through the cold of winter, and, more importantly, coolness during the increasingly hot, humid summers.
However, it’s also possible for your HVAC system to turn into a curse, damaging your business with either fire or water. Fortunately, most of the problems with fire damage and water damage related to HVAC systems can be prevented by simple maintenance.
Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Produce Water
Probably the most common source of damage to businesses from HVAC systems is water production by air conditioning units and heat pumps.
These systems don’t actually produce water: they extract it from the air. An air conditioning unit cools the air by drawing it into the unit and running it over cold coils. These coils make the air cooler, but as they do, water from the air condenses on the coils. It’s the same phenomenon that causes your glass or can of cold beer to “sweat.” Because manufacturers of air conditioning units and heat pumps (which work the same way but can also produce heat) know they’re going to experience a lot of condensation, they are built to collect the water and drain it away.
However, over time the dust and dirt that gets into the air conditioning unit can clog the air conditioning drain. When the drain clogs, water can overflow out of the system. Sometimes you might notice pooling around the unit. Other times, the leak might happen behind the wall, and you might not notice it until you see damage to the drywall.
Another potential source of water is a refrigerator or freezer, which uses the same principles to keep cool. Because the refrigerator doesn’t generally produce as much water, it typically doesn’t have a drain, just a tray to catch water. This tray can overflow if the refrigerator or freezer is producing more water than expected. Large commercial freezers might have drains, though these can clog like air conditioner drains.
Regular maintenance on air conditioners and heat pumps will include cleaning the drains, which will prevent the buildup of water.
Furnaces Can Cause Fires
Besides water leaks, your HVAC system can be a source of fires. Since the goal of many HVAC appliances is to produce heat, it’s not surprising that this heat could sometimes cause fires. Here’s how your HVAC system can trigger fires.
Objects Too Close to Heat
It’s not a maintenance issue, per se, but one common mistake people make that leads to fires is having objects too close to a source of heat. Whether a fireplace, furnace, or electric space heater, flammable objects that are close can catch fire when they get hot enough.
Always make sure you’re keeping enough clear space in front of any heat source to avoid triggering fires. Not sure how much space is necessary? Check your manuals or ask an HVAC technician the next time they are performing furnace maintenance.
Gas Leaks
Natural gas is the second most common source of heat in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Natural gas is highly flammable, and if it’s leaking from your furnace (or your stove or water heater), it can catch fire when exposed to a small spark or the pilot light of another gas appliance.
Gas furnaces should be checked for leaks at least once a year. In addition, you should be vigilant for the smell of a gas leak: rotten eggs.
Overheated Motor
When your HVAC system uses a blower to distribute air throughout your commercial building, there’s a risk that the motor could get overheated and catch fire.
The blower motor heats up because of friction when parts rub together. You can make heat a similar way by rubbing your hands together. But the blower or fan in your furnace moves much faster, so it can get much hotter. Ideally, the motor should be well-lubricated, which lets the fan or blower move smoothly without a lot of friction. Dirt collecting on the motor can cause a fire by insulating it to the point that it overheats even under normal operation.
Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring can also lead to fires in your HVAC system. Electric heating systems can sometimes have very high energy demand. If the wiring isn’t rated for the demand, it can heat up and cause a fire. Poor or worn-out insulation on this wiring can also allow heated wires to catch fire.
Poorly wired fan or blower motors can overheat because they’re getting the wrong voltage.
In addition, electrical shorts can get very hot and cause fires quickly.
Air Conditioning Can Catch Fire, Too
Although it’s less common, air conditioning units can catch fire, too. The problem is typically electrical. Because air conditioning units can sometimes have very high energy demand, their wires can get very hot. Water leaking from the unit can also cause electrical shorts that can trigger fires.
Sometimes, too, the air conditioner itself can overheat and catch fire. Air conditioners don’t eliminate heat, they just try to put it outside, which means that part of the unit is already getting very hot. Add the heat from the motors and compressor in the unit, and it gets even hotter. A clogged air filter can force the motor to work even harder, leading to even more heat. Eventually, an overworked air conditioner can simply burst into flames.
Help with Fire and Water Damage
Did you forget to keep up with your HVAC maintenance and experienced water or fire damage as a result? Let Just Right Cleaning & Construction help reverse the effects of fire and water on your business. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts has been the leading commercial restoration company in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. We offer 24/7 emergency services. Just call us, and our team will be at your commercial property quickly, ready to work. We can handle every aspect of the restoration process, from water extraction to demolition to reconstruction and finishing work.
To erase the damage from an HVAC system fire or water leak, don’t wait: contact JRCC Damage Restoration Experts now. We serve customers in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.