Amidst the hustle of running a commercial property, vent cleaning always takes the back seat on the maintenance priority list. Out of view, out of mind, you know! However, not paying proper attention to the venting system of your building can end up having more repercussions than you would imagine.
So, what happens when you end up not cleaning the commercial vent, and why can it cost you much more down the line? Continue reading to find out.
Increased Utility Costs and an Overworked Air Conditioning System
Airflow becomes limited when the vents are blocked by either dust, dirt, or even construction materials. It implies that your HVAC system will have to consume more energy in order to circulate air in the building.
Such increased pressure, in the long run, may:
- Increase your energy bills significantly
- Reduce the life of your HVAC system
- Cause more breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Your whole HVAC system becomes less efficient with a dirty ventilation system. And that inefficiency accumulates pretty quickly in commercial buildings. That is why routine commercial vent cleaning is not optional but a must.
Health Complaints Due to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Dirty vents not only waste energy but also contaminate your air. The dust, allergens, mold spores, and bacteria also trapped inside your ventilation system get circulated each time you run your system.
This may impact anyone within the business environment:
- Employees might experience headaches, fatigue, allergies, or respiratory irritation.
- Tenants, customers, or visitors can smell stuffiness or staleness.
- You may experience a sick building syndrome.
Poor quality air also decreases productivity and increases sick days among your employees. And in healthcare, education, and hospitality, bad air hygiene may even cost you your reputation.
The Risk of Mold and Moisture Damage
A small accumulation of moisture in vents may result in the growth of mold. Once mold spores are introduced to the air circulation, they are very dangerous to health. They might also be too challenging and costly to eliminate.
A failure to clean the vents increases the chances of mold being undetected. When you finally notice it, you may be dealing with full remediation, destroyed insulation, and possible damage to walls, ceilings, and the HVAC system itself.
Possible Fire Risk Situations
In certain business environments, vent build-up may present an actual fire risk, often in restaurants, laundromats, or manufacturing plants. Grease, lint, and small flakes of dust are very inflammable. It may even result in fires that cause catastrophic damage or lead to the suspension of operations in the worst cases.
Legal Consequences
Health and safety inspections are normally done on commercial buildings. A poorly maintained or dirty ventilation system may result in:
- Penalties or violations.
- Failed inspections.
- Liability related to health complaints made by employees or customers.
Vent cleaning is an easy precaution that might keep you above board and or out of needless lawsuits at all times.
Final Thoughts
Forgoing commercial vent cleaning may save you several dollars up front, but in the long term, the expense can be huge. Unless you have gotten your vents cleaned in the last few years, this is the time to. It is a little investment in safeguarding your building, people, and your wallet.