From preventing costly repairs to improving indoor comfort, our blog covers everything you need to know about heating and cooling in SoCal—straight from local HVAC experts.
February 17, 2025
Your commercial HVAC system doesn't fail during mild weather when problems are convenient to fix. It fails during the first heat wave when your rooftop unit has been cycling every three minutes for six hours straight, your electrical panel is running near capacity, and your tenants are threatening to break leases if the temperature hits 78°F again.
That's why summer HVAC prep happens in spring, not when the thermometer reaches 95°F in June.
Regular plumbing servicing is crucial to maintaining a safe, efficient, and problem-free home. Ignoring plumbing maintenance can lead to costly repairs, water damage, and unexpected emergencies. Here’s why scheduling routine plumbing service is a smart investment:
Professional commercial HVAC maintenance approaches summer preparation differently than residential contractors who treat commercial buildings as larger versions of houses. The difference shows up in system reliability during peak demand periods when emergency repairs cost three times normal rates and tenant complaints escalate to legal issues.
Predictive Analysis Beyond Visual Inspection use performance data and trend analysis to identify problems before they cause failures. They don't just check refrigerant levels—they analyze capacity trends that reveal gradual efficiency losses and component wear patterns.
Load Testing Under Actual Operating Conditions test systems under the actual load conditions your building will experience during summer peak demand, not just whether equipment runs during mild weather inspections.
Infrastructure Assessment for Peak Demand Support evaluate electrical systems, airflow capacity, and building envelope performance that affects HVAC load during extreme weather periods that stress systems beyond normal operation.
Business Continuity Planning for Critical Operations understand that commercial HVAC failures affect business operations, tenant relationships, and revenue generation in ways that require emergency response capabilities and backup planning.
Integration with Building Operations and Scheduling coordinate maintenance timing with business operations, peak occupancy periods, and seasonal patterns that affect when systems can be serviced without disrupting operations.
Commercial buildings in Los Angeles County face summer cooling demands that reveal problems developing during months of moderate weather operation. A rooftop unit that runs acceptably during 75°F days may struggle when ambient temperatures reach 100°F and the roof surface hits 140°F.
The difference between spring temperatures and summer peak loads exposes capacity problems, efficiency degradation, and component wear that mild weather operation masks. Systems operating at 70% capacity during moderate weather may drop to 50% capacity during peak conditions, creating comfort problems that affect building occupancy and tenant satisfaction.
Summer cooling loads in commercial buildings don't scale linearly with outside temperature. Solar heat gain through windows, equipment loads from increased occupancy, and heat island effects in urban areas create cooling demands that can double between moderate and extreme weather conditions.
Rooftop Unit Inspection and Testing
Rooftop units face the harshest operating conditions of any commercial HVAC equipment. Summer preparation requires comprehensive evaluation of components that operate under extreme temperature conditions.
Refrigeration System Performance:
Refrigerant charge verification using subcooling and superheat measurements
Compressor performance testing under loaded conditions
Condenser coil cleaning and airflow verification
Expansion valve operation and capacity matching
Leak detection using electronic leak detectors and visual inspection
Electrical System Evaluation:
Contactor inspection and contact resistance testing
Capacitor testing under load conditions and replacement of marginal units
Motor current analysis and bearing inspection
Control circuit voltage verification and connection tightening
Disconnect and breaker operation verification
Airside System Assessment:
Blower motor performance and current analysis
Belt tension and wear inspection with adjustment or replacement
Filter condition and airflow measurement
Ductwork connection integrity and insulation condition
Damper operation and control response verification
Modern commercial HVAC systems depend on control systems that optimize performance and energy efficiency. Summer preparation includes verification that controls operate properly under peak load conditions.
Thermostat and Sensor Calibration:
Temperature sensor accuracy verification against calibrated instruments
Humidity sensor operation and calibration check
Thermostat programming verification for summer operating schedules
Control setpoint optimization for energy efficiency and comfort
Override and manual operation testing
Building Automation Integration:
Communication verification between HVAC equipment and building automation systems
Schedule programming for summer operating patterns
Energy management and demand response system testing
Alarm and notification system verification
Remote monitoring and control capability testing
Safety and Emergency System Testing:
Low and high pressure cutout operation verification
Temperature limit control testing
Emergency shutdown system operation
Fire safety integration and smoke detector response
Security system integration and after-hours operation
Summer cooling represents the largest energy expense for most commercial buildings. Maintenance preparation includes optimization measures that reduce operating costs during peak demand periods.
Equipment Efficiency Improvements:
Condenser coil cleaning to restore heat transfer capacity
Evaporator coil cleaning and airflow optimization
Refrigerant system optimization for peak efficiency operation
Motor lubrication and electrical connection maintenance
Heat exchanger inspection and cleaning
Building Envelope Assessment:
Roof condition and insulation effectiveness evaluation
Window and door seal inspection and repair
Ductwork insulation condition and air leakage testing
Building pressurization and ventilation optimization
Solar heat gain analysis and shading evaluation
System Load Reduction:
Lighting system evaluation for heat load reduction opportunities
Equipment schedule optimization to reduce peak cooling loads
Ventilation system optimization for energy efficiency
Occupancy schedule coordination with HVAC operation
Process load evaluation and heat recovery opportunities
Commercial buildings in Los Angeles County operate in urban heat islands that create operating conditions significantly more severe than rural or suburban environments.
Urban Heat Island Impact:
Rooftop temperatures 20-40°F higher than ambient air temperature
Reduced nighttime cooling that prevents equipment recovery
Air quality impacts that affect filter life and system performance
Traffic and urban pollution that accelerates coil fouling
Microclimate variations between different areas of the county
Building Location Considerations:
Coastal areas (Redondo Beach) with marine layer effects and humidity concerns
Inland valleys (Chatsworth) with extreme temperature swings and low humidity
Urban core areas with maximum heat island effects and air quality challenges
Mountain foothill areas with temperature variations and seasonal wind patterns
Los Angeles County's summer weather patterns create specific challenges that affect commercial HVAC system operation and maintenance requirements.
June Gloom and Marine Layer Effects:
Humidity control requirements during marine layer periods
Condensation management and drainage system preparation
Air quality filtration for increased particulate during temperature inversions
System capacity adjustment for variable humidity loads
Santa Ana Wind Preparation:
Air filtration system preparation for dust and debris
Building pressurization control during high wind periods
Outdoor air intake protection and control
Emergency system operation during extreme wind conditions
Fire Season Air Quality Management:
Enhanced filtration system preparation for smoke and particulate
Outdoor air intake control and monitoring systems
Building pressurization control for air quality protection
Emergency operation procedures during air quality alerts
Summer peak demand periods create both comfort challenges and utility cost impacts that proper preparation can minimize.
Peak Demand Reduction Strategies:
Pre-cooling strategies that reduce peak period loads
Equipment scheduling to avoid simultaneous operation during peak periods
Thermal mass utilization for load shifting
Energy storage integration for peak demand reduction
Utility demand response program participation
Time-of-Use Rate Optimization:
Operating schedule adjustment for utility rate structures
Equipment efficiency optimization during peak rate periods
Load scheduling coordination with utility rate periods
Energy monitoring and management system utilization
Peak demand tracking and management procedures
Summer HVAC failures create immediate business impacts that require emergency response planning and backup procedures.
Emergency Response Planning:
Critical system identification and priority ranking
Emergency contact procedures and response protocols
Temporary cooling arrangements for critical areas
Communication procedures for tenants and building occupants
Insurance and documentation requirements for emergency situations
Backup System Preparation:
Portable cooling equipment availability and sizing
Emergency power system integration and testing
Water supply and drainage capacity for emergency cooling
Access and setup procedures for temporary equipment
Vendor relationships for emergency equipment rental
Commercial HVAC summer preparation timing affects both maintenance effectiveness and business operations disruption.
Maintenance Window Planning:
Early spring preparation before peak cooling season begins
Coordination with building occupancy and business schedules
Weather window planning for optimal maintenance conditions
Parts availability and contractor scheduling coordination
Testing and commissioning time allocation
Frequency and Scope Optimization:
Monthly inspection schedules during peak cooling season
Filter change frequency based on actual operating conditions
Component replacement scheduling based on performance trends
System optimization adjustments based on operating data
Emergency maintenance preparation and planning
Professional summer preparation includes documentation and tracking that supports ongoing optimization and warranty compliance.
Maintenance Documentation Requirements:
Performance measurements and trend analysis
Component condition assessment and replacement recommendations
Energy consumption tracking and efficiency analysis
System modification and upgrade documentation
Warranty compliance and service history maintenance
Performance Monitoring and Analysis:
Energy consumption comparison with previous years
System capacity and efficiency trend analysis
Failure rate tracking and prevention analysis
Tenant satisfaction and comfort complaint tracking
Cost analysis and budget planning for future improvements
Commercial HVAC summer preparation requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and experience that determines when professional service provides better value than in-house maintenance.
Professional Service Advantages:
Specialized diagnostic equipment for performance analysis
Technical expertise for complex system troubleshooting
Access to replacement parts and component availability
Warranty protection and insurance coverage
Emergency response capabilities during peak demand periods
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
Professional service cost compared to in-house labor and equipment investment
Risk management and liability considerations
System performance and reliability improvements
Energy cost reduction through professional optimization
Long-term equipment life and replacement cost impacts
Summer HVAC preparation contractors should demonstrate specific experience with commercial systems and understanding of business operations impact.
Contractor Evaluation Criteria:
Commercial HVAC experience and references from similar buildings
Emergency response capabilities and guaranteed response times
Parts availability and vendor relationships for immediate repairs
Technical expertise for system optimization and efficiency improvements
Communication and documentation capabilities for property management
Service Agreement Considerations:
Maintenance schedule coordination with business operations
Performance guarantees and service level agreements
Emergency response inclusion and response time commitments
Parts and labor warranty coverage
Cost structure and budget predictability
Your commercial building's summer HVAC performance depends on preparation that happens before problems develop into failures during peak demand periods. Professional summer preparation identifies and addresses problems that mild weather operation doesn't reveal, optimizes system performance for peak efficiency, and provides emergency preparedness that protects business operations.
The investment in comprehensive summer preparation pays returns through reduced energy costs, prevented emergency repairs, improved tenant satisfaction, and system reliability during the periods when HVAC performance most directly affects your business success.
Professional commercial AC maintenance contractors provide the technical expertise, specialized equipment, and emergency response capabilities that ensure your system operates reliably during Los Angeles County's demanding summer conditions.
Ready to ensure your commercial HVAC system is prepared for Los Angeles summer conditions?
Contact SoCal HVAC for comprehensive summer preparation that optimizes performance, reduces energy costs, and prevents failures during peak demand periods.
