The Hidden Reasons Behind Mysterious HVAC Failures During Extreme Heat in Montreal
Every summer, during intense heat waves in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, we at AirGreen receive numerous panic-stricken calls from business owners, property managers, and storekeepers. They all urgently ask the same alarming question: why does their commercial air conditioning suddenly seem ineffective precisely when they need it the most? Today, we lift the curtain on this common yet easily avoidable mystery.
Why Does Your HVAC Air Conditioning Lose Efficiency During Heat Waves?
During the hottest days of summer, your commercial air conditioning system has to work extra hard. Several factors specific to extreme heat explain this sudden drop in efficiency.
1. Excessive Demand and Maximum Capacity Reached
The first factor is directly linked to your HVAC system’s rated capacity. In Montreal and surrounding areas, most systems are sized to effectively manage average summer temperatures. However, during extreme heat waves, your unit quickly reaches its maximum capacity.
For example, if your central Fujitsu heat pump of 60,000 BTU is designed to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature at 30°C, it might begin showing signs of saturation during spikes of 35°C or higher—common in Longueuil or Laval during heat waves.
2. Blockages and Dirt Accumulation in Filters and Coils
Intense heat magnifies the negative impact of clogged filters or dirty evaporator coils. At AirGreen, we frequently notice during our interventions in Montreal or the North Shore that filters slightly dirty yet functional under normal conditions suddenly become a critical problem when the equipment is running at maximum capacity.
Regular HVAC maintenance could prevent this common issue. We strongly recommend our clients schedule preventive maintenance before the hot season to ensure their commercial installation operates smoothly.
3. Refrigerant Fluid and Pressure Issues
Another frequent culprit involves refrigerant levels, such as R-32 or R-410A, commonly used in brands like Gree, Goodman, or Lennox. A minor leak or unbalanced pressure can remain unnoticed throughout the year until extreme heat dramatically reveals the anomaly.
During a recent intervention in Laval, we identified a subtle pressure drop on a 48,000 BTU Gree Sapphire unit—a problem undetectable during normal temperatures but significantly reducing cooling performance during a heat wave.
Common Mistakes to Avoid to Maintain Your Air Conditioning’s Performance
To avoid sudden breakdowns, here are some practical tips and common mistakes to avoid:
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Ignoring regular maintenance: Annual comprehensive maintenance, especially before summer, prevents 70% of breakdowns seen in Montreal and the South Shore.
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Neglecting refrigerant fluid checks: Annual checks prevent unpleasant surprises during critical periods.
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Undersizing your installation: Always size your system adequately according to your building’s specific needs, especially if you’re located in Longueuil or other densely populated urban areas.
Effective Solutions from AirGreen to Manage Extreme Summer Heat
Facing these commercial air conditioning challenges, we at AirGreen offer tailored solutions adapted to the extreme weather conditions regularly experienced in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.
Rapid Diagnosis and Immediate Intervention
Thanks to our extensive field experience, we intervene quickly with a precise diagnosis to restore your commercial air conditioning’s full efficiency. During a recent heat wave in Montreal, we urgently restored the failing air conditioning of a local store simply by correcting refrigerant fluid pressure.
Annual Preventive Maintenance Program
We offer a preventive maintenance contract specifically designed to anticipate critical periods. Our technicians thoroughly inspect every detail, from filters to refrigerant levels, pressures, and fine-tuning of HVAC systems. Thus, our clients in Laval and elsewhere on the South Shore avoid unexpected breakdowns during heat waves.
Energy Optimization and Controlled Oversizing
In certain cases, we recommend slightly increasing the capacity of your HVAC installation. When installing a Bosch IDS Premium unit on the North Shore, we slightly oversized the chosen model to provide an adequate safety margin to comfortably handle periods of extreme heat.
Client Testimonials: AirGreen, Your Air Conditioning Expert for All Seasons
Here is a concrete example of work done by our teams, perfectly illustrating how we manage these particular challenges in commercial air conditioning:
During a memorable heat wave in Longueuil, a large commercial establishment urgently contacted us, panicked by indoor temperatures rapidly rising to 28°C despite the air conditioning running. After a meticulous inspection of their central Comfortmaker heat pump of 80,000 BTU, we identified a partially clogged filter and a slight drop in refrigerant fluid pressure. Less than an hour later, our intervention restored the ideal indoor temperature, lowering it to 22°C.
This example demonstrates our ability to provide quick, effective, and lasting solutions, even in the most stressful situations for our commercial clients.