How to Keep Your Business Cool This Summer

Living in Texas means getting used to the heat. However, while the state can be relatively hot most of the year, the summer months can become unbearable. As a business owner, one of the best ways to ensure that your customers keep coming back is to maintain a cool interior environment. 

While having a robust A/C system is a must, there are plenty of other tactics you can employ to beat the heat this summer. Not only will your employees and customers appreciate the effort, but you can also save money on your utility bills. Here are our top tips for keeping your business cool this summer. 

Inspect Your Building’s HVAC Before Summer Hits

Since your air conditioning unit will be working overtime during the season, you have to make sure that it’s up to the challenge. Ideally, you can get a qualified technician out to your business before the heat ramps up too much. This way, you can save a lot of unnecessary wear and tear. Also, HVAC maintenance specialists are often busy during the summer months, so it’s easier to get someone to your business if you plan ahead. 

While an inspection is crucial, there are multiple ways to keep your HVAC running smoothly. Here are some options that can extend the life of your A/C system. 

• Keep It Shaded – If the intake unit is in direct sunlight, that means the compressor has to work that much harder to deliver cold air. Even something as simple as a pop-up tent can do wonders for your A/C’s performance.
• Replace the Filters Often – You’d be surprised by how quickly an HVAC air filter can get filthy. If you’re not replacing them regularly, the system has to work harder to push more air through. Invest in some backup filters so that you can change them out yourself every month or so. 
• Use Programmable Thermostats – If your business is only open for part of the day, it doesn’t make sense to have the A/C running while no one is there. Fortunately, programmable thermostats are readily available, and you can set both the temperature and timing. Best of all, you can adjust these settings from a smartphone for added convenience. 
• Inspect It After Summer – Once the heat starts to die down, you want to check out the HVAC system again. By doing this, you can spot any potential problems and get them fixed before next season. 

Overall, you want to be diligent and thorough with your air conditioning unit. Once you start taking it for granted, it will break down on you. If your HVAC fails, it can not only be uncomfortable, but expensive to fix. Also, your customers won’t like it either. 

Be Mindful of Heat Sources

The sun isn’t the only thing heating your business during the summer. Plenty of items can generate a lot of heat, which means that your HVAC has to work that much harder. If you can mitigate some or all of these sources, you can reduce the ambient temperature without adjusting the A/C. While all businesses are different, here are some common culprits. 

• Heavy Machinery – If your business relies on manufacturing units running at full speed, they will generate tons of ambient heat. To help relieve this problem, try alternating machines if possible, or use a portable cooler to negate their output. 
• Office Equipment – Electronics like computers, servers, monitors and others can get quite warm when they’re on for long periods. One way to reduce the heat is to turn these items off when they’re not in use. It may take a little longer to boot up, but the cooler temperature might be worth it. 
• Light Bulbs – Switching to LED bulbs is not only smart for energy savings, but you can lower the heat in your building. Incandescent and fluorescent lights can increase the temperature far more than you realize. 

When identifying heat sources, be sure to come up with a strategy to negate their output. For example, if these items are close to an A/C vent, moving them might allow the air to cool down faster. Alternatively, you may be able to utilize fans to help cool machines off instead of relying on the air conditioner. 

Be Strategic With Your Cooling Needs

As the saying goes, it’s better to work smarter, not harder. Your HVAC system will already be in overdrive during the summer season, so why not alleviate some of that pressure? Here are some simple ways to reduce your business’s temperature without having to crank the A/C up. 

• Close Off Unused Areas – The more air that the system has to condition, the less efficient it will be. If there are offices or other interior spaces that don’t get used often, seal them up as much as possible. Closing the door can work, as can shutting any vents that go into the room. 
• Install an Air Curtain If Necessary – One issue that some businesses have is the constant movement of people in and out of the building. This kind of activity can make it impossible to have a controlled climate. An air curtain blows a stream of air across a doorway to create a natural barrier without preventing entry. 
• Install Blinds or Shades Where Possible – While seeing the outside can be nice on a bright day, the sun can increase the interior temperature. Blinds, drapes and awnings can work wonders at cooling your business. 

Rent a Portable A/C Unit As Necessary

For offices and retailers that can’t seem to make their HVAC system work well enough, a portable air conditioner might be the best solution. Whether it’s an industrial-strength cooling unit, an evaporative cooler, or just a massive fan, these machines can get the job done when nothing else will. 

Contact Preferred Climate Solutions Today

Don’t let the summer heat ruin your business. At Preferred Climate Solutions, we have many portable cooling options for your needs. Call us to find out how we can deliver climate control.