The old saying “out of sight, out of mind” can get us in a lot of trouble.

Use your car for example: when you maintain what is likely one of your biggest investments, you think about things like changing the oil, filling the tires with air, and keeping the vehicle clean and looking good. If you’re mechanically minded, you may go a step further by checking the charge on the battery, replacing the spark plugs and wires, and checking to make sure all the hoses and wires are tight and intact.

These items are easy to keep track of, especially because a helpful warning light on the dash lets you know if something is amiss.

But when is the last time you got under your car to inspect the condition of the universal joints? When did you last dig out the O2 sensor or verify that your catalytic converter wasn’t clogged?

It’s probably been awhile. Although less visible, these parts of your car are just as important to maintain as the more common features. They may be out of site and out of mind, but their proper operation is vital to the car running.

Out of sight HVAC issues

For commercial buildings in the Carolinas and Virginia, your commercial HVAC systems are largely out of sight as well. They’re either on the roof, in the basement, tucked behind walls and in out-of-the-way mechanical rooms.

Like any mechanical and electronic equipment, they’re prone to wear out, get dirty, lose efficiency, and even suddenly break down — unless properly maintained. And, just like your car, these issues can cause minor frustrations or spell real disaster depending on the circumstances.

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You get what you pay for

It may be tempting to take a wait-and-see approach to system maintenance. After all, the perception is that an HVAC system can function just fine, sometimes for years, without much of a problem. It’s also a common misconception to believe that an HVAC under warranty won’t have mechanical issues.

The truth is that your building needs HVAC preventative maintenance like your car’s engine needs regular oil changes. If such maintenance isn’t a priority, the first problems you notice may be very minor: an unpleasant smell in the air, or a slight uptick in utility costs as your system becomes less efficient. Your employees are still warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so there’s no harm, right? Actually, no.

Like your car, your commercial HVAC system, and all of its connected systems throughout your building, is a major investment. These are systems that you’re counting on to keep all other assets — your employees, the building, the equipment, and any stored valuables safe and secure from environmental problems and discomfort.

If you fail to properly maintain this equipment, at the very least it’s not going to last as long as it should. It could end up costing far more while it’s in use due to inefficiencies. And, as a worst-case scenario, an unmaintained HVAC system could even lead to truly costly and dangerous disasters.

The high cost of neglecting HVAC maintenance in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia

Here are just a few potential results of failing to properly maintain your commercial HVAC system:

• Unhealthy air quality. Mold, fungus, and other pollutants are a health hazard and can result in increased employee sick time.

• Uncomfortable/drastic temperature fluctuations. Drastic temperature changes can lead to employee frustration, decreased morale and poor productivity.

• Clogged, broken, worn out system components. Neglected parts can cause loss of heat and air conditioning, catastrophic flooding, fire, and even explosions.

• Inefficiency. Failure to maintain your HVAC system also affects your bottom line due to unnecessarily high energy and repair costs, as well as large capital expenditures for major replacements, all leading to repeated downtime.

Don’t let your HVAC system fall apart because it’s out of sight and out of mind. Adopt a comprehensive HVAC maintenance agreement with certified professionals who can keep your system running smoothly, efficiently, and for as long as possible so you and your employees can enjoy a clean, comfortable, and productive work environment.

Learn more about Piedmont Services Group’s planned maintenance program or contact us to learn how we can protect your mechanical systems in Virginia and the Carolinas with preventative maintenance.