Cheap Parts, Expensive Problems
For owners who choose expensive, top-of-the-line HVAC equipment for their projects, the expectation is for efficient, flawless system performance. But this is often not the case when powers-that-be try to shave costs by using cheaper parts and materials. Just a small handful of subpar parts can throw a huge, costly wrench into the most advanced systems.
This was a tough lesson learned at an expansive new facility. Multiple custom HVAC units were failing to start consistently and experiencing inexplicable nuisance trips while running. Attempts by the installing contractor to figure out what was causing the problems were futile, and with constant complaints and downtime piling up, owners were becoming increasingly frustrated. Millions had been invested in what was supposed to be a state-of-the-art system, and it simply didn’t work. MSC was referred to the client and we were called in to assess the situation.
As we always say at MSC, it’s never just one thing, and this was also the case here. As technicians observed the systems attempting to start up and operate per sequence, they immediately noticed that outside air damper limit switches were not “making” consistently, having no repeatability. When dampers were open fully, the switch- es would fail to start the fans.
At other times, the switches would open or break during operation. Several key pressure transmitters were found to randomly malfunction, as well. Our technicians examined several of the parts in question and found all of them to be very poorly made. Somewhere along the line, someone decided to save a few dollars on a Rolls Royce system by throwing in a few cheap parts.
On MSC’s recommendation, all of the damper limit switches and pressure transmitters throughout the facility were replaced with reliable high-quality parts, and the system was recommissioned where needed. As expected, all problems immediately ceased.
About MSC - The Go To Guys
We are a service sub-specialist in the technical intricacies of HVAC, process cooling, and building automation systems in commercial, industrial, and institutional environments. MSC is recognized as the leading industry expert in solving elusive problems and attaining peak performance from clients & mechanical equipment and overall systems.
Located in northern New Jersey, MSC is the only specialized contractor of our kind in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We are MSCA STAR-qualified, NEBB-certified, fully-licensed in electrical, plumbing and HVAC, and our engineers and technicians are the most knowledgeable in our field.
MSC - Mechanical Service Corp.
41 South Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ 07981
973-884-5000
http://www.mscnj.com
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