Condominium bylaws outline services that condominium corporations look after and pay for. Chances are, the HVAC unit within your condo is not one of them. Nothing can upend your indoor comfort faster than a broken HVAC unit. Your new condo warranty may cover repair costs if your building is up to two years old. But after that, condo owners are usually on their own. HVAC units contain a lot of moving parts and mechanical failure is not uncommon. The most common reason for repair calls on HVAC units is for loud noises, including rattling, ticking, banging or no noise, all indicating a malfunction in the system. In most cases, this has to do with a faulty condo HVAC actuator.
What Is An Actuator?
Modern condominiums are outfitted with one of two types of HVAC systems: Fan Coil or Heat Pump. Fan coil units work in conjunction with centralized boilers and chillers that your condo management operates. Buildings with heat pumps also have centralized boilers, but the cooling process works with refrigerant fluid. It absorbs heat (heat rejection) and boils at low temperatures. The resulting gas is then compressed and fed through a system of cooling towers usually located on the top of the roof.
Both fan coil and heat pump HVAC systems use a device called an actuator. It controls the opening and closing of a valve which allows water to flow through your fan coil or condenser. Some types of fan coil systems require two actuators, each controlling the heating and cooling functions of the fan coil.
Faulty Condo HVAC Actuators
A functioning actuator is essential for an efficient HVAC unit. Problems can occur if the motor burns out or if the actuator becomes “sticky”. For example, if the actuator gets stuck in an open position in the summer, the fan will continuously blow cold air no matter what your thermostat readings are. If your actuator gets stuck in a closed setting in the winter, your HVAC unit and fan will continue to work and blow air, but it will not be hot. Actuators can also run intermittently. In most cases, these situations will require you to replace the actuator. Operating your HVAC unit with a faulty actuator can get very expensive because your unit will continue to use electricity without producing the results you expect.
Seasonal Maintenance
Having your HVAC unit serviced by a qualified HVAC technician either seasonally, or at the least, once a year can keep your HVAC unit running smoothly and efficiently. It can also help prevent expensive repairs that occur when parts break. Over time, dust, grime, and wear and tear can lower the efficiency of your HVAC system.
During service appointments, the technician will typically start by inspecting your thermostat and removing and replacing dirty and clogged filters. They will also inspect the fan motor to ensure it is balanced and not brushing against the blower assembly surface.
In fan coil systems, coils can become clogged and rusted from improper condensation. The technician will also check for mould growth and conduct a drain condensation and leak test. In heat pump systems, the maintenance will include checking the level of refrigerant fluid as well as the functioning of the compressor. The average condo heat pump lasts 5 – 8 years.
HVAC Service Agreements
If you have an HVAC service contractor that you have come to trust, ask if they offer service agreements. In the long run, these can actually save you money by retaining the efficiency of your HVAC unit, extending its life and preventing inconvenient breakdowns. You could also receive service without an agreement, but it would cost more. Also, with a service agreement, many companies offer you priority service when emergencies occur.
In fact, manufacturers of HVAC equipment state in the fine print that they require maintenance for their warranties to remain valid. This is very similar to how automobile warranties work, but condo owners don’t always perceive the two as equivalent.
About Condo HVAC Parts
We are a distributor of Condominium HVAC Parts, located in Toronto, Canada. Our wide range of inventory includes products from well-known brands and reputable manufacturers. Our staff has decades of experience specifically with condo HVAC systems. We can expertly answer your questions and recommend ways to help you operate your HVAC unit for efficiency and cost-saving.