With the Qatar World Cup in sight, the challenges of cooling a stadium are more heavily publicised than ever. Although we don’t face the same high temperatures as the State of Qatar, stadium owners and managers in the UK experience their fair share of cooling issues.
Harnessing affordable heating and cooling in such vast spaces isn’t easy. But the right HVAC technology in place can make all the difference. We have been providing HVAC fit-outs to stadia for a number of years, and tackled numerous problems first-hand. In this post, we take a closer look at these challenges standing in the way of reliable air conditioning and ventilation.
Irregular or zero maintenance
Maintaining your air conditioning unit and wider HVAC system is the greatest challenge for those working in or managing stadia. Without the right maintenance, your HVAC system will not only fail essential compliance checks but leave it open to mechanical breakdown and other failures.
Devising a preventative maintenance plan is the answer, and will ensure common but preventable issues can be avoided. Failing to maintain your system on a regular basis can turn minor air conditioning problems into major repair expenses.
Clogged or dirty filters
One of the main benefits of having an HVAC system in place at your stadium is its promise of improved air quality. Ensuring good air quality throughout the stadium environment is important as it could directly affect the health of those within. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution could even affect the performance of players!
Without regular maintenance and cleaning, the air filters that keep bacteria, mould and other pollutants at bay simply can’t do their job correctly. Your air conditioner will also have to work much harder to cool, which may increase energy costs and reduce the lifespan of your wider system. Energy.gov explains why air filter cleaning and replacement is so important:
Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system’s efficiency significantly. With normal airflow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
Your air conditioner’s filters should be cleaned or replaced every two months to ensure optimum air quality can be achieved.
Refrigerant leaks
Refrigerant is key to your air conditioner’s cooling capabilities. However, refrigerant leaks are a common problem, affecting all commercial air conditioning units. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling like it used to be, you may have a leak. Leaks should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further cooling issues and environmental damage.
Thermostat regulation issues
The thermostats used throughout your HVAC system play an integral role in striking the right balance between hot and cold. Thermostat malfunctions are particularly common and have a direct impact on the comfort levels of those within your stadium. If your system’s thermostats aren’t working as they should do, they may need recalibrating or replacing.
Need help solving an issue with your stadium’s air conditioning system? As well as designing and installing bespoke stadia HVAC fit-outs, we provide essential maintenance and repair. Call our team today to discuss your requirements.
