Some people love the crisp, cold air that produces the first crystalline snowflakes, but commercial property owners might not be as excited about the encroaching winter. Cold weather, blowing winds, along with ice and snow make it harder for heating systems to keep the building comfortable.  As the 2024/2025 winter approaches, businesses in New Jersey need to prepare their systems for potential extreme weather. Here’s how to safeguard your HVAC – now – before the coming New Jersey winter.  

Winter 2024/2025 Weather Outlook for New Jersey 

 

This winter is expected to be milder than average due to a weak La Niña pattern. From December through February, New Jersey has a 40-50% likelihood of above-average temperatures. The average winter temp of South Jersey is about 41 degrees.  However, the possibility of sharp cold snaps exists, especially if the polar jet stream becomes amplified.  

Winter weather is known to be unpredictable, taking strange turns, so property managers and business owners must be prepared for any fluctuating conditions. 

While the Farmer’s Almanac predicts two large snowfalls, one in late December and one in late February, annual snowfall is projected to be slightly below normal, with a likelihood of mixed precipitation events along the I-95 corridor. Interior areas may still experience significant snowfalls if cold air coincides with coastal storms. 

While fewer overall storms than in past years are expected, the season could bring intense Nor’easters, with scenarios including snow-to-ice transitions or heavy rain. Warmer temperatures overall can lead to more icing. Electricity outages are common during such events.  

In New Jersey, severe winter storms historically cause outages lasting from a few hours to several days, especially in coastal and wooded areas. 

All these winter weather events can cause problems for large commercial buildings – unless they are winterized, safeguarding them.  

Winter conditions can stress HVAC systems, leading to higher energy costs and potential failures. Proper maintenance ensures reliability, safety, and efficiency, preventing costly downtime during peak heating demands. 

Key Winterization Steps  

We custom-design maintenance programs that fit your building. No two buildings are alike, and specially-tailored care plans consider the size of your building, the purpose of your building, and the number and types of units you have.  

Professional HVAC technicians are qualified to perform the following:  

• Inspect and Maintain Heating Equipment: 

• Check furnaces and boilers for wear. 

• Inspect heat exchangers for cracks or corrosion. 

• Calibrate thermostats.  

• Replace worn parts  

• Monitor pressure  

• Check, change, or add refrigerant  

• Seal ducts and insulate pipes  

• Clean or replace filters monthly to optimize airflow 

• Make sure that doors, windows, and emergency exits close tightly and don’t have gaps or cracks that allow wind to come in. 

• If you have a generator, inspect it to make sure it’s in working order before a storm hits.  

• Check battery backups. Prepare for power outages with emergency generators or redundant systems. 

• Ensure that maintenance supervisors have rechargeable or battery-operated flashlights.  

Heavy snowfall is hard on HVAC vents and rooftop units. Sometimes, it’s necessary to sweep snow out of vents and to clear paths around and shovel snow off rooftop units to maintain airflow and prevent mechanical failures. 

With a proactive approach, your commercial property can face the unpredictable winter of 2024/2025 with confidence. As New Jersey businesses anticipate potentially disruptive weather patterns, investing in HVAC preparation now will save costs and maintain comfort throughout the season.  

Now, before blizzards, may be the perfect time to invest in energy efficiency.  Smart thermostats and zoning systems allow businesses to balance comfort and efficiency, especially during unpredictable weather swings. 

 Incentives for energy-efficient HVAC upgrades are available through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, helping offset costs for necessary improvements. 

New Jersey’s winter of 2024/2025 is shaping up to be both challenging and unpredictable. To be ready, commercial property owners need to act now. Proactive maintenance, equipment upgrades, and preparation for power outages will ensure HVAC systems remain reliable during peak demand. 

By planning for the worst, businesses can protect their operations, employees, and bottom line from winter’s harshest effects.  

For more than a quarter of a century, we’ve handled commercial HVAC systems in our region, no matter what the weather!  

Call us. We can help you weather the worst of any season.  

“No excuses. Just results.”