With the festive holidays looming, many industries will be gearing up for the annual Christmas shutdown. This will likely include deciding what to do with your HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) during the shutdown.
Turning your HVAC off during winter shutdown might seem the most economical option – after all, why pay to control the temperature in an uninhabited building? However, there are a few things to take into consideration instead of just turning off your HVAC system.
1. Humidity control
Moisture and damp are one of the issues your HVAC system helps prevent. With the system shut off, you might find moisture collects inside your building during the cold winter shutdown.
It’s best to keep the humidity levels inside your work premises below 60%. If you set your system up to do this, it will automatically maintain the right humidity levels even whilst your building is unoccupied.
Some systems have an “idle mode” (or similar) which will maintain a small amount of air and humidity control, without using as much energy as when the system is at full power.
2. Promote air flow
As well as setting your HVAC to maintain the correct humidity settings over the winter shutdown, there are several steps you can take to keep your building free from damp. You can:
- Leave internal doors open to promote airflow.
- Where safe to do so, leave windows slightly open or on the latch to keep fresh air coming in.
- Set up dehumidifiers in areas particularly prone to damp.
3. Schedule system maintenance
Consider scheduling HVAC system maintenance from qualified professionals just before the winter break. This will ensure your system is in top condition ready for the new year, and identify any problems that need addressing. There are also a few simple maintenance steps you can take yourself.
Check the air filter
Over time, the air filter on your HVAC system can get clogged up with debris and particulates. This restricts airflow and overworks your cooling system.
Aim to replace or clean your air filter every three months – more often if you experience poor air quality in your area. Scheduling air filter replacements at the end of each season helps keep them regular, and ensure your HVAC system is working efficiently.
Check the vents
The air ducts and vents that deliver hot and cool air around your HVAC system should be checked to ensure nothing is blocking them. Blocked vents will impair the efficiency of your system.
Optimise thermostat settings
For the winter shutdown, your thermostat can be adjusted to come on only when necessary. For example, you can set your heating to turn on periodically to prevent frozen pipes in especially cold weather. However, you won’t need your heating to come on for as long as it usually does when your building is occupied.
A smart HVAC system, controlled by a smart thermostat which can also be adjust remotely, is especially useful for this.
