As an HVAC technician with over 32 years of experience, I’ve learned the hard way that September is hands-down the best time to get commercial heating units prepared for winter. Trying to delay seasonal maintenance too far into fall or early winter has left me scrambling more times than I can count. That’s why I now recommend all my commercial clients get their HVAC systems winterized in September whenever possible.
Still Warm Enough for Thorough Inspections
One of the biggest perks of September maintenance is the weather is still mild enough here in the Midwest to really dig into the equipment. I can take my time inspecting every component without freezing my fingers off! It’s warm enough that I can fully clean condenser coils and evaporator fins without needing heavy winter gear on.
Believe me, trying to winterize units in late November with temperatures plummeting below freezing is rough. The bone-chilling cold makes even small tasks a miserable endeavor. I’d much rather get commercial winterizations done when afternoon temps are still in the 60s and 70s. Fall Maintenance Tips.
Just Before Usage Ramps Up
September also provides a great window between the cooling season winding down but before the colder weather really ramps up heating usage. I can get in and out of facilities without disrupting essential indoor climate control that tenants rely on.
The last thing I want is to be responsible for shutting down a restaurant’s kitchen HVAC on a random cold snap in October. Scheduling maintenance ahead of time in September gives the best opportunity for preventative care before things get busy.
Time to Address Any Repairs
Getting a jump start on winter maintenance leaves ample time to address any issues discovered. Say I notice a heat exchanger crack or refrigerant leak during a September inspection. I can order any necessary parts and schedule a repair visit well before freezing conditions arrive.
One year I put off winterizing a commercial office building until early December. When I uncovered a fried circuit board on their rooftop unit, it took over 2 weeks to source the obscure replacement part. The tenant was not thrilled about having limited heat during that brutally cold couple of weeks!
Essential Maintenance Checklist
To ensure commercial HVAC systems are ready for the coming winter, here are some key tasks I focus on in September:
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- Thoroughly cleaning coils, filters, and fans
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- Checking refrigerant levels and refilling if needed
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- Lubricating motor bearings, servicing belts, checking amp draws
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- Sealing up ductwork to eliminate drafty air leaks
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- Draining and blowing out drain lines
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- Wrapping or covering external condenser units
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- Confirming heating modes activate properly
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- Testing emergency heat functions
Why Putting It Off Causes Headaches
In this profession, I occasionally encounter facility managers who want to delay winter maintenance to save some money in the budget. But pushing past October is just asking for headaches!
Nothing gives facilities staff panic attacks like getting hit with freezing temps in November and then discovering the boiler has hidden corrosion or the rooftop heat pumps aren’t firing up. It turns into an expensive emergency call-out for me and a freezing facility for them.
It’s also not very neighborly when I’m up on the roof banging away at stuck contactors as snow flurries start coming down. Best to handle all that while the weather is still agreeable!
September Prep Leads to a Better Winter
After many years of trial and error, September has proven the most reliable month to get comprehensive commercial HVAC winterization done. The ideal conditions let me be thorough, catch problems early, and make any necessary repairs before it gets miserably cold.
Proper winter prep leads to:
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- Fewer unexpected breakdowns
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- Reduced repair costs
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- More efficient heating performance
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- Lower energy consumption
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- Happier, more comfortable tenants
As we enter fall here in Northern Virginia, don’t put off that HVAC maintenance call. Get it scheduled in September and make your building ready for whatever winter decides to throw our way this year!
