09/04/2023
A lesson on why doing a proper install and doing your diligence in the first instance can be a costly mistake:
These are external condenser units for an HVAC system, as any good A/C installer or engineer will tell you, these should be situated in well ventilated areas to prevent air recirculating especially in low temperatures, to prevent freezing and potentially damaging components.
These units serve part of a building and are situated in what was a bike shelter made of brick with wooden slat gates, with the only ventilation being from the top. In the cold weather we’ve had over this winter this has caused numerous issues and faults with the units cutting out during cold weather, as the cold air gets drawn down into the enclosure and is recirculated constantly.
The solution will be to add ventilation to this enclosed space either by adding “windows” essentially cutting holes in the brickwork either side to allow for better ventilation, or removing the brick entirely and putting in mesh fencing and gates which is the often used solution in a situation such as this. Easier said than done in a landlord property and will now form part of a larger and most likely costly project to ensure these units are better ventilated going forward.
Very rarely is it a quick and easy fix in the FM world and built environment!
