Prevent A Legion Of Problems With Proper Commercial HVAC Maintenance
Posted on: 19 February 2019
Regular maintenance is a necessity for commercial HVAC systems. Aside from the fact that maintenance can prevent unnecessary costly repairs, it can also safeguard against illnesses. Believe it or not, a poorly maintained HVAC system can cause a legion of illnesses, including Legionnaires' disease. Understanding what illnesses your HVAC system can cause will help you realize why maintenance is so important.
Legionnaires' Disease
Legionnaires' disease is just one disease commercial building owners have to worry about when it comes to their HVAC system. In 1976, the first known mass outbreak of the disease occurred in Philadelphia, PA. The incident occurred during an American Legion convention that took place in the Bellevue Stratford Hotel.
It is believed that the disease spread because of contaminated water used to provide cooling through the building's air conditioning system. Water is often used as a source of cooling for commercial HVAC systems. Unfortunately, the water can turn stagnant and develop bacteria, such as Legionella pneumophilia, which is the cause of Legionnaires' disease.
Proper maintenance can allow a professional HVAC expert to inspect your system and determine if stagnant water is an issue. Locating stagnant water before it becomes an issue can help prevent unnecessary illnesses from occurring within the workplace. As any employer knows, sick workers can lower productivity and cost a company a significant amount of money, so it is best to get ahead of the issue before it becomes a problem.
Breathing Issues
A poorly maintained HVAC system can also cause breathing issues. If your system's filters are dirty, it can release dirt, dust, and other contaminants into the air. If your workers breathe in those contaminants, it can lead to:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing
Be aware of the fact that if any of your employees suffer from respiratory issues, a dirty HVAC filter can exacerbate the problem. Unfortunately, you could be held responsible for any illnesses that occur in the workplace as a result of a poorly maintained HVAC system. The best way to resolve issues related to poor breathing is to have a professional come in and clear out your HVAC system. A professional can clean the ducts and replace dirty filters in little to no time at all.
What Does Proper Maintenance Mean for You?
Proper maintenance of your commercial HVAC system means you can protect your employees against the threat of illnesses. It also means you protect yourself against the expense of sick employees. Take into consideration that absent employees have been known to cost U.S. employers roughly $225.8 billion a year, or approximately $1,685 for each employee.
Imagine if you were also found guilty of poorly maintained systems, including your HVAC system. If anyone were to discover that the illnesses suffered by your employees were the result of poor maintenance, you could face additional expenses. Employees could file a lawsuit against you for the time they missed from work and their medical expenses. In other words, the thousands you could lose from absent employees is almost nothing in comparison to the amount you would have to shell out in legal fees.
The best thing you can do is get in touch with a commercial HVAC expert near you and setup routine maintenance. Staying on top of maintenance will allow you to get ahead of potential mechanical issues and problems that could otherwise cause unwanted illnesses to spread among your employees.
If you notice that your employees are suffering any health problems related to trouble breathing, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing, contact an HVAC expert today. Let the professional know that you would like to have your system checked to verify whether that is the cause of your issues or not.
For more information, get in touch with a company such as Robison Air.
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