As the weather begins to warm up (sunshine, finally!), spring becomes one of the most efficient times of year for commercial HVAC systems. Why, may you ask? Because it’s economizer season!

What Are Economizers?

Economizers are a series of dampers in an HVAC system (an energy-saving component) that allows your system to use cool outside air for “free cooling” when the outside air temperatures are below 65-67F to help condition the building instead of relying entirely on your compressors.

When they’re working properly, economizers can significantly reduce energy usage, reduce the load on your compressor, and lower operating costs. Sounds great, right?

Unfortunately, many economizers don’t work as intended due to issues such as dampers getting stuck, sensors failing, or controls being incorrectly calibrated. Often, building owners and facility managers don’t realize there’s an issue until energy bills increase.

Make Your HVAC System Work for You

Now that spring is right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to have your economizers inspected to prevent future issues and inefficiencies. A properly functioning economizer can reduce cooling costs, improve ventilation (keeping building occupants satisfied and alert), and help your HVAC system run more efficiently during mild springtime weather. We all want to take advantage of that “free cooling” from the cool outside air temperatures of the early mornings, right?

What to Check

During your scheduled preventative maintenance visit or a service call, our HVAC technicians at Cooper Oates can verify proper damper operation, see that sensors and controls are working properly, and ensure your HVAC system is properly bringing in cool outside air when conditions allow.

If your HVAC system is simply at the end of its lifespan with multiple components suffering from decreased efficiency, a unit replacement may be a viable option. Our team can help you weigh your options to decide what solution is best for you- we want your system to be operating at maximum efficiency just as much as you do!

(Wondering if it’s time for a replacement? Read more in our blog post here.)

Expert Commercial HVAC Solutions, Just One Call Away

If you’re unsure whether your economizers are operating correctly, our team at Cooper Oates is here to help with your commercial HVAC service needs. Our technicians regularly inspect and service economizers for commercial buildings throughout the Sacramento region to make sure our customers’ HVAC systems are operating efficiently when it matters most. We have a wide variety of experience working on equipment for commercial and industrial buildings such as schools, office complexes, distribution centers, retail spaces, government facilities, hospitals, and more.

Contact Cooper Oates for HVAC Maintenance & Service in Sacramento, CA

While our office is based in Sacramento, our service area for HVAC and plumbing services extends as far north as Chico, CA, east to Napa, west to Placerville, south to Turlock and in between including: Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, Roseville, Woodland, Stockton, Davis, Yuba City, Auburn, Sutter Creek and Lincoln.

Remember, a quick inspection today can help prevent wasted energy and higher costs later in the cooling season! Call us at 916-381-4611 or contact us to schedule an inspection or service.