Resources for HVAC & Refrigeration

Ice and refrigeration might seem like they should go hand in hand—but ice buildup on refrigeration equipment can be a sign that something isn't working as intended. In many refrigeration systems, some frost accumulation is completely normal. As the system removes heat from a refrigerated space, moisture in the air can freeze on the cold evaporator coil. Over time, that frost can begin restricting airflow and interfering with heat transfer. That's where the defrost cycle comes in. Defrost is a normal part of refrigeration system operation designed to periodically remove accumulated frost and allow the evaporator to continue operating efficiently. But there's an important distinction between normal frost that is successfully managed by the defrost cycle and excessive or recurring ice buildup that may indicate a problem. Here's what happens and why it matters.

Summer may be over, but what happened to your HVAC system this summer can tell you a lot about what should be on next year's project list. Did certain units struggle during the hottest days? Were there recurring comfort complaints? Did an aging piece of equipment require another major repair? Were there projects you wanted to complete but couldn't fit into the schedule? These aren't just maintenance questions. They can help shape your facility's capital planning strategy for the year ahead. Fall provides a valuable window to step back, evaluate HVAC performance, establish priorities, and begin planning larger projects before the next cooling season puts equipment back under peak demand.

Once a major storm passes, the immediate temptation is to get back to business as usual. The power is on. The building looks intact. HVAC and refrigeration equipment appears to be running. But severe weather can affect building systems in ways that aren't immediately obvious. Heavy rain, high winds, power interruptions, flooding, and debris can create problems that only become apparent after equipment returns to normal operation. Taking time for a post-storm inspection can help facility managers identify potential issues early and determine whether equipment needs further evaluation. Before returning completely to normal operations, here are several areas worth checking.

Most HVAC failures feel sudden. One day everything is working, and the next there's no heating or cooling. But in many cases, the system has been showing signs of trouble long before the failure occurs. Commercial HVAC equipment develops patterns. You become accustomed to how long it runs, how consistently it maintains temperature, what it sounds like, and even which areas of the building tend to be warmer or cooler. When those patterns begin to change, the system may be telling you something. The key isn't reacting to every minor fluctuation. It's recognizing changes and trends in normal operation that could indicate a developing problem.

A building can change significantly over the course of 10 or 20 years, even when its HVAC system doesn't. New occupants move in. Spaces are renovated. Production equipment is added. Operating hours expand. A storage area becomes an office. Processes change. Individually, these changes may seem relatively minor. Over time, however, they can dramatically change what a facility needs from its heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Eventually, equipment that once performed exactly as designed may begin struggling to keep up. The important distinction? The HVAC system may not be failing. It may simply be serving a building that no longer looks like the one it was designed for.

When a commercial building has temperature problems, the HVAC system is usually the first place everyone looks. A space is too warm? Check the air conditioner. Employees are complaining that it's too cold? Check the heat. Energy consumption suddenly increases? Something must be wrong with the HVAC equipment. Sometimes, that's exactly where the problem is. But other times, the HVAC system is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. It's simply responding to a problem somewhere else in the building. Changes in airflow, occupancy, building pressure, controls, operations, and even the building envelope can all create symptoms that look like HVAC equipment problems. Understanding the difference can help facility managers get to the root cause instead of repeatedly treating the symptom.

Labor Day may be approaching, but that doesn’t mean cooling season is over. Late August and September can still bring plenty of warm weather, and by this point in the season, commercial HVAC systems have already spent months handling high temperatures, humidity, and increased cooling demand. That makes late summer an important time to pay attention to system performance. Your HVAC equipment doesn't know the calendar is changing. If anything, the final weeks of summer can reveal problems that have been developing throughout the season.

When temperatures are still warm, heating equipment probably isn't at the top of your facility's priority list. And that's exactly why late summer is one of the best times to think about it. Once the first cold stretch arrives, heating systems quickly move from sitting idle to becoming critical to daily operations. Equipment that hasn't run consistently in months may suddenly be expected to perform for hours at a time. Preparing now gives facility managers something that's much harder to find once heating season begins: time and options.

Two buildings can have similar HVAC equipment, similar square footage, and even similar operating schedules, yet one maintains comfortable temperatures with ease while the other constantly struggles. Why? The answer isn't always the HVAC equipment. A building's construction, layout, occupancy, operations, and even how people use the space can dramatically affect heating and cooling demand. Understanding these factors can help facility managers distinguish between an equipment problem and a building that is simply placing greater demands on its HVAC system.

When an HVAC or refrigeration system isn't performing correctly, the problem can sometimes seem obvious. A room is too warm. A refrigerated space isn't holding temperature. An alarm keeps appearing. Energy consumption suddenly increases. But identifying the actual cause isn't always as straightforward. Modern HVAC and refrigeration systems are made up of mechanical equipment, electrical components, controls, sensors, airflow systems and, in many cases, building automation systems that all work together. A problem in one area can create symptoms somewhere completely different. That's why effective troubleshooting often requires looking beyond what's happening and understanding why it's happening.

When a piece of equipment fails unexpectedly, one of the first questions is often: "What do we know about this unit?" Unfortunately, the answer isn't always much. Many facilities have HVAC and refrigeration equipment spread across rooftops, mechanical rooms, production areas, and multiple buildings. Without a centralized inventory, finding information like the equipment's age, service history, or model number can take valuable time. A complete equipment inventory provides a clear picture of the assets you're responsible for and helps support smarter maintenance, budgeting, and operational decisions.

For many facilities, HVAC and refrigeration equipment gets the most attention when demand is at its highest. Air conditioning is top of mind during a summer heat wave, while heating systems become the priority when temperatures drop. The challenge? That's also when service providers are busiest and equipment is working its hardest. Planning maintenance during the off-season gives facility managers the opportunity to identify and address issues before peak demand arrives, helping improve reliability and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime.