A proactive HVAC maintenance schedule prevents emergency repairs and extends equipment life. Here's what Strata councils should be doing each season.
HVAC systems in Strata buildings work harder than residential systems. They serve multiple units, run longer hours, and face the added complexity of shared ductwork, make-up air units, and building pressurization systems. Without a proactive maintenance schedule, these systems fail prematurely — and emergency HVAC repairs in a multi-unit building can cost 3–5 times what planned maintenance would have prevented.
Spring maintenance should include: inspecting and cleaning condenser coils on rooftop units, checking refrigerant levels and testing for leaks, replacing or cleaning air filters across all units, testing thermostat calibration and programming, inspecting ductwork for leaks or damage, and clearing condensate drain lines to prevent summer backups.
Summer is the time to focus on cooling performance and indoor air quality. Verify that all cooling systems are operating at rated capacity, check airflow balance across units (especially on upper floors), inspect and clean fan coils in individual suites, test emergency ventilation systems, and verify that fresh air intake dampers are operating correctly.
Fall preparation is critical for Lower Mainland buildings. Before heating season begins: test all heating systems including boilers, heat pumps, and furnaces, inspect and clean gas fireplace systems (a BeeWarm.ca specialty), verify carbon monoxide detectors are functioning, flush hydronic heating systems and check expansion tanks, inspect roof drainage near HVAC equipment, and schedule a gas safety inspection with a licensed gas fitter.
Winter monitoring should include: regular checks of heating system performance, monitoring energy consumption for anomalies that indicate problems, inspecting exterior equipment after storms for ice damage, verifying emergency heating backup systems are operational, and documenting all maintenance activities for Strata records.
At Strata Property Services, our HVAC division (BeeWarm.ca) provides comprehensive maintenance programs tailored to Strata buildings. Our licensed gas fitters (Class B Gas Fitter #CGA0100182243, Gas Contractor License #LGA0041068) handle everything from routine filter changes to complex boiler repairs. Contact Robert Hamilton at 604-765-8424 for a maintenance program quote.