NYC Metro Area’s HVACR Blog

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations

Essential Equipment for Commercial Kitchens: HVAC Make Up Unit

 • 

restaurant make up air unit

Have you ever noticed an oily odor from your frying pans and other smells from the cooking process lingering long after the chefs retire their aprons for the night? Does it seem like it takes too long for smoke from the grill, the stove and steamy pots and skillets to dissipate?

These problems are likely the result of your exhaust fans sucking the air from your kitchen space, but not enough air replacing the exhausted air. By outfitting your kitchen with a restaurant make up air unit, you can avoid these suffocating problems.Read more 

Commercial Refrigeration

How to Clean Refrigerator Coils in Commercial Kitchens

 • 

how to clean refrigerator coils

Have you ever dropped something behind or underneath your refrigerator and taken a gander at what lurks in your refrigerator’s recesses while retrieving the misplaced object? You probably were surprised and maybe even embarrassed to see the incredible amount of dust accumulated, so you can only imagine the dusty condition of the hidden refrigeration coils.

Though many of us pride ourselves in keeping our kitchens spic and span, the truth of the matter is sometimes those “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” things occasionally slip through the cracks. As the owner of commercial refrigeration equipment, the very thought of how to clean refrigerator coils might cause you to recoil. But have no fear, it’s easier than you think.

Let’s take a look at the simple steps involved in how to clean refrigerator coils.Read more 

Commercial Refrigeration

The Complete Refrigeration Preventative Maintenance Checklist

 • 

refrigeration preventative maintenance checklist

Nothing will stop your business cold like a refrigeration equipment meltdown. That’s why it is vital for you as a restaurant or food service owner or manager to be vigilant about refrigeration preventative maintenance. Having a refrigeration preventative maintenance checklist will help you complete routine commercial refrigerator maintenance tasks that will prevent untimely breakdowns and headaches.Read more 

Commercial Refrigeration

Preventable Causes of Emergency Refrigeration Service Calls

 • 

emergency refrigeration service

When things are running smoothly, it’s hard to imagine the equipment we rely on breaking down, especially at the most inopportune time. Though certain equipment failures can temporarily be resolved with backup equipment and other improvisations, unfortunately nothing will chill business quicker than a downed refrigeration system at your restaurant or food service business. So stop taking your refrigeration units for granted before a breakdown sends you into a panic mode and your customers out the door.Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC

HVAC Equipment & Safety Risk: Counterfeit Refrigerant

 • 

counterfeit refrigerant

If your business has older HVAC equipment that’s been repaired recently, hopefully you used a trusted HVAC supplier. Many types of air conditioning repairs require adding refrigerant to the system. If your repair company bought refrigerant from the wrong source, you might have counterfeit refrigerant in your system that can be dangerous for occupants of your space.

There have been reports of fires and explosions caused by counterfeit refrigerant. Find out how to keep your business safe and your air conditioning system damage-free.

Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations, Residential HVAC, Residential Installations

When Does R22 Become Illegal? Help For AC Equipment Owners

 • 

when does r22 become illegalHave you been limping along all summer with your older R22 air conditioner? Hoping to avoid replacing it during the high season? Especially if you know your unit has a refrigerant leak, you may be trying to decide how long you can get by before you’ll have to invest in a new system. Now that cooler weather is on the way (hopefully!) you have some time to plan and decide on a course of action that works best for you and your budget. An important factor in making that decision is answering the question: when does R22 become illegal?

Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations

R22 Phased Out: The Timeline & Facts You Need to Know

 • 

r22 phased out

If you are a facilities manager who has responsibility for older air conditioning systems, chances are you are alarmed by the news that R22 is being phased out. Does this mean you’ll need to replace a lot of expensive equipment all at once? You’re probably also wondering about the R22 phase out schedule and how quickly you need to act.

In this article we’ll discuss the timeline for R22 being phased out to help you understand the urgency of the situation. Then we’ll discuss the options for facilities with R22 air conditioning equipment and some tips for making the best decision for your company.

Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Residential HVAC

Don’t Ignore These 5 Signs of an AC Refrigerant Leak

 • 

ac refrigerant leak

Even though we may enjoy warm late summer days, most of us don’t want that heat creeping into our air conditioned living or work space. Are you are concerned because your place is not cooling off like it should? Perhaps you’ve noticed warm air or lower than normal airflow coming out of your system’s registers or you’ve heard a hissing sound. Maybe you’ve observed water on the floor by your HVAC unit or seen ice forming on your evaporator coils. These are all telltale signs of an AC refrigerant leak.

Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Residential HVAC

Your R22 Air Conditioner: Repair or Replace Guidelines

 • 

r22 air conditioner

This is an update to one of our most popular and helpful blog posts. We’ve added advice for those of you who have an older R22 AC unit that uses the Freon refrigerant which is being phased out. Here’s the original: Repair or Replace An Air Conditioner: The Right Way to Decide.

If you’ve got an aging air conditioner, you may be breathing a sigh of relief when Labor Day rolls around. You made it through another summer with the old unit! But don’t talk too soon, September can still get steamy in NYC and if your unit is not performing as it should be, you could still experience a breakdown during a brutal week of Indian summer weather. Then you’ll need to decide whether to repair or replace it.

Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations, Residential HVAC, Residential Installations

How Long Should an Air Conditioner Last?

 • 

how long should an air conditioner last

With the hottest temperatures of the year staring us down, the last thing we need is a meltdown over an air conditioner breakdown. Home and business owners and facility and property managers across the NYC metropolitan area are keeping their fingers crossed that mature air conditioning systems make it through the summer. This tenuous situation can’t help beg the question, “How long should an air conditioner last?”

HVAC experts say an air conditioner should last about 15 to 20 years under normal conditions. However, many factors can reduce that life, including poor installation, operating conditions, system sizing, and neglected maintenance.

Read more