February in Northeast Ohio means we're still in the thick of heating season — but experienced facility managers know that spring preparation starts now. The transition from heating to cooling puts unique stress on commercial HVAC systems, and buildings that aren't ready for it end up dealing with comfort complaints, equipment failures, and unexpected repair bills right when occupants need reliable climate control the most.
At Air-Temp Mechanical, we've been helping commercial and industrial buildings across Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, and Wooster make this seasonal transition smoothly for over 40 years. Below is a practical checklist to help you get ahead of spring.
1. Schedule a Post-Winter Inspection
Ohio winters are hard on commercial HVAC equipment. Before you switch anything over to cooling mode, have a qualified technician inspect your systems for winter damage:
Rooftop units (RTUs) — Check for ice damage to coil fins, inspect cabinet panels for warping or water intrusion, and verify that condensate drains aren't cracked from freeze-thaw cycles.
Boilers and heating plants — Document current operating condition before shutdown. Note any issues that should be addressed during the off-season while the equipment isn't needed.
Ductwork — Look for condensation damage, loose connections, and insulation deterioration, especially in unconditioned spaces like mechanical rooms and above drop ceilings.
Catching a cracked drain pan or a damaged coil now costs a fraction of what an emergency call in May will run you. For more on what winter can do to rooftop equipment, see our post on prolonged freezing temperatures and RTU failure points.
2. Replace Filters and Clean Coils
This sounds basic, and it is — but it's consistently the most overlooked item we see in commercial buildings. After running heating systems all winter, filters are loaded with dust and particulate. Dirty filters and clogged coils reduce airflow, force equipment to work harder, and drive up energy costs.
Replace all air filters before switching to cooling mode. If your building uses high-efficiency MERV 13+ filters, verify that your fan systems are sized to handle the pressure drop — undersized fans paired with restrictive filters cause more problems than they solve.
Clean evaporator and condenser coils. Condenser coils on rooftop units accumulate debris from fall and winter. A coil that's 25% blocked can reduce system capacity by 10–15%.
3. Test Cooling Systems Before You Need Them
Don't wait until the first 80-degree day to find out your cooling doesn't work. Run a full cooling cycle test in early spring when the stakes are low:
Verify compressor operation on every unit. Listen for unusual noises, check amp draws against nameplate ratings, and confirm that suction and discharge pressures are within spec.
Test thermostats and BAS controls. If your building runs on a building automation system, verify that cooling setpoints, schedules, and changeover logic are programmed correctly for the season.
Check refrigerant levels. A system that was low on charge last fall didn't fix itself over the winter. Under the new EPA HFC Management Rule, systems with 15+ pounds of refrigerant now require documented leak inspections — another reason to get this checked proactively.
4. Inspect Economizers and Dampers
Spring is prime season for economizer operation — using cool outside air for free cooling instead of running compressors. But economizers only save energy when they're working correctly. We routinely find dampers that are stuck, linkages that are broken, and sensors that are out of calibration.
Manually cycle all damper actuators through their full range of motion.
Calibrate outdoor air temperature and enthalpy sensors. A sensor that reads 5 degrees off will keep your compressors running when they shouldn't be.
Verify minimum outside air settings meet your building's ventilation requirements. Indoor air quality isn't just a comfort issue — it's an occupant health concern. Our post on clean air innovations covers why this matters.
5. Review Your Preventative Maintenance Agreement
If you don't have a preventative maintenance program in place, spring is the best time to start one. Reactive maintenance — waiting for something to break — always costs more than planned upkeep. A good PM agreement covers seasonal inspections, filter changes, belt replacements, and refrigerant checks on a defined schedule.
If you already have a PM contract, review it now. Make sure it covers both your heating and cooling equipment, and confirm that your service provider is performing the work documented in the agreement — not just checking boxes.
6. Evaluate Equipment for End-of-Life Planning
Spring maintenance visits are a natural time to assess whether aging equipment should be repaired or replaced. As a general guideline:
RTUs older than 15–20 years are approaching end of useful life. Repair costs tend to escalate, parts become harder to source, and energy efficiency is significantly lower than modern units.
Chillers older than 20–25 years may still be running, but often at substantially higher operating costs than current high-efficiency models.
Consider refrigerant availability. With the 2026 EPA refrigerant regulations now in effect, systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-22 (already phased out) or R-410A (supply tightening) will become increasingly expensive to service.
Planning a capital replacement during the shoulder season gives you time to design and specify the right system rather than making rushed decisions during a mid-summer failure.
7. Document Everything
Good facility management runs on documentation. After each spring inspection, make sure you have written records of:
Equipment condition and any deficiencies found
Filter sizes and types installed
Refrigerant charge levels and any additions made
Recommended repairs and their priority level
Estimated remaining useful life for aging equipment
This documentation is valuable for budgeting, insurance claims, and — as of 2026 — EPA compliance reporting.
Air-Temp Mechanical: Your Northeast Ohio HVAC Partner
We serve commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities throughout Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, Wooster, Medina, Sandusky, and the surrounding Northeast Ohio communities. From single rooftop units to multi-building campus systems, our team has the experience and certifications to keep your equipment running at peak performance through every season.
Ready to get your spring maintenance scheduled? Call us at (216) 579-1552 or contact us online. Early scheduling gets you ahead of the spring rush — and ahead of the problems that come with it.
