Exhaust Fan Repair: Keeping Your Business Breathing Easy

Businesses rely on a lot of moving parts. Success is contingent on each component filling its intended role. This goes for exhaust fans, which are essential devices for many industrial or commercial spaces.

Commercial exhaust fans are complex machines that need regular upkeep. Failing to do so can lead to breakdowns and even more serious consequences, like unhealthy air conditions or fires.

The information below covers some common issues you might experience with commercial fans and what you can expect from exhaust fan repair. Keep reading to find out how to ensure your fan is functioning properly.

What Does an Exhaust Fan Do?

Commercial exhaust fans are important because they remove old or stale air and replace it with fresh air. Proper ventilation produces a more sanitary, safe, and comfortable work environment for staff.

Exhaust fans also can reduce moisture levels throughout a work area. This is important to stave off mold or mildew growth and to protect equipment within the area.

In some environments, exhaust fans prevent the accumulation of dust, bacteria, gases, or airborne chemicals. These can be harmful to equipment or workers. Doing so makes exhaust fans vital to many food processing, chemical, medical, agricultural, automotive, and similar facilities.

How to Maintain an Industrial Exhaust Fan

There are many benefits to regular exhaust fan maintenance. This includes vacuuming out dust and debris, as well as cleaning fan blades and any parts of the motor that are exposed.

It is advisable to have a licensed technician regularly clean and inspect your exhaust fan. In fact, if you operate a restaurant or other facility that serves food, you are required to have this done on a regular basis. This is due to the elevated threat of grease fires.

Regular fan upkeep has many advantages. First, it will help you identify minor exhaust fan problems before they become major ones. It also will help you fan fun as efficiently as possible.

All this will extend the life of your fan and help you save money. It also makes it more likely to avoid breakdown, which can cost you a lot of money in lost production during downtime.

Common Issues With Commercial Exhaust Fans

Most often, problems with commercial exhaust fans manifest as loud noises or rattling while in operation. Vibrations coming from the unit are another common sign that something is wrong. If a fan is running at less than full capacity,

A number of minor issues can cause commercial exhaust fans to break down or function inefficiently. One that is easy to fix is loose nuts, bolts, or other mounting hardware. Always check this before diving deeper into investigating the problem.

Another common issue is fan or motor bearing failure. This often happens due to a lack of lubrication.

Worn-out or broken belts are another typical problem. If a belt is on its last leg, the fan may still function, but not at full capacity. With a broken belt, the fan cannot operate.

More Serious Issues With Commercial Exhaust Fans

While loud noises could be the result of loose bolts or belts, they also can stem from more serious problems. If you notice that the motor (as opposed to other fan components) is running loudly, this could reflect a more dire issue.

Another sign of a possible significant problem is if the fan is slow to start up. Even if the fan at some point reaches full capacity, a slow startup is often a sign of a power issue or that something is not functioning as it should. Likewise, if a fan starts up but slows during regular intervals, this warrants further examination.

Like other machines, exhaust fans can experience degradation due to condensation. The fan motor is especially susceptible to moisture.

If you notice water accumulating or pouring out of your fan, you should address it immediately. You need to give the components a chance to dry out. If it is a recurring problem, it could be that your fan is not big enough for your business space, and needs to be upgraded.

Exhaust Fan Repair

Regardless of the severity of the issue, it is always a good idea to call a trained repair technician. They will be able to diagnose the problem and examine your entire system to ensure that all facets of the issue are addressed.

In general, technicians will examine the fan assembly, including all belts and bearings, and clean all exterior parts. They will tighten any bolts on the mount and vibration pads.

Exhaust fan repair technicians are also trained to look at electrical connections powering the machine and check motor volts and amperage. They will examine the blade pitch and rotary union. If they do not identify any issues with the basic components, they will do a deeper dive into the fan motor parts and functions.

One advantage of hiring a professional is that, while most fans can be repaired, sometimes it may be worth cutting your losses. For instance, you may be able to patch up a very old or damaged machine, but it will be only a matter of time before another issue manifests. An experienced technician will be able to break down the costs of repair versus replacement.

Another advantage of hiring a technician is that you can have peace of mind that the job was done well. You can have the confidence that your fan will be running at optimum capacity so that you can focus on more important aspects of your business.

Find Commercial HVAC Services Near You

Now that you understand the ins and outs of exhaust fan repair, you can know how to identify potential problems and when to call a repair technician. Doing so will keep your fan running better and longer.

Sun Mechanical Systems has more than 60 years of experience in commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality products and timely project completion. Reach out to us today to learn more.