As Paul VI Catholic High School leadership unveils a brand new campus in Loudoun County, they make another important decision designed to keep their students, teachers, and staff comfortable and happy for years to come. The school has chosen Trimark Mechanical as its partner for preventative HVAC maintenance. At 68 acres, the new grounds in Chantilly take up nearly four times that of its previous facility.
The campus’s 60 state-of-the-art classrooms, 8 science labs, central Dining Commons and student chapel have been constructed after years of planning – a tremendous investment in a modern campus for future generations of students. The new campus doesn’t officially open to students until August 2020, but the building staff is already making plans for how to best serve within its new, larger footprint. With more sophisticated HVAC systems, the school’s internal staff decided to augment their capabilities with preventative maintenance through Trimark Mechanical.
As with all of our clients, Trimark sought to complement PVI’s existing capabilities. Trimark’s technicians will first catalog PVI’s equipment into a cloud-based tracking system so that PVI can ensure it’s being maintained properly, has instant access to maintenance history, and that requirements are being met to maintain all manufacturer warranties. With this system in place and preventative maintenance by Trimark Mechanical, PVI will be able to give its campus community the comfort and confidence that it needs to run smoothly.
By choosing a professional mechanical services firm like Trimark Mechanical, schools, churches and commercial building owners can feel confident that their building is in good hands.
Do you have questions about your own facility? Reach out to Trimark Mechanical to speak with one of our HVAC experts about how we can help. The first visit is on us, and our sole aim is to give you a better understanding of your HVAC equipment.
If you’re like many business owners and organization leaders, you know that preventative maintenance is necessary but may not be confident that maintenance is being performed properly. Since HVAC systems are complex, determining the credibility and thoroughness of one contract or service provider versus another can be challenging. This is why it’s essential that you have a clear idea of what legitimate preventive maintenance should look like. Read more to learn how you can ensure preventative maintenance improves and maintains the performance and longevity of your HVAC system.
What You Already Know About Regular Preventative Maintenance
Regular preventative maintenance is beneficial for several reasons. Perhaps the main advantage is that routine service checks find problems before they turn into expensive repairs. But there are other benefits, related to both comfort and cost when it comes to performing regular maintenance tasks. For example preventative maintenance:
Ensures Reliability – Your system ideally should be checked at least twice in the year. Once before the heating season and one more time before the cooling season begins. This will guarantee your system is in optimal condition before the peak usage months of the year.
Reduces Energy Costs – Your HVAC is probably one of your top energy expenses. When the system is thoroughly cleaned and maintained, energy costs will decrease while indoor comfort increases.
Improves Indoor Air Quality – HVAC systems impact our ability to breathe indoors. Preventative maintenance should include cleaning your equipment’s accumulated allergens like dust, dirt, and pollen for the cleanest and highest-quality indoor air possible.
Maintains Cost-Effectiveness. An HVAC system is a large expense and thorough preventative maintenance is critical to protect that investment. Investing in preventative maintenance is minimal compared to expensive repairs or replacements on systems that aren’t regularly maintained.
What You May Not Know: The Proof is in the Pudding
Not even sure what a good preventative maintenance visit should cover? Take a look at a recent preventative maintenance visit we completed for a long-time, happy customer.
Comprehensive preventative maintenance is more than just a ‘tune-up’ or visual inspection. Simply looking at the quality of an HVAC system is far from enough to ensure it’s running well. There should never be guesswork involved when determining its health status.
You Need To Know About Potential Issues
You should always receive clear and simple communication to know where exactly you stand with your equipment’s condition and if to expect repairs or replacements. When potential issues are detected, they should be responded to and resolved immediately to avoid untimely system failure. Leading mechanical service providers will even go the extra mile by providing photographic evidence of individual system components to show their physical condition and wear from usage over time.
A Checklist Isn’t The Same As Proof
Most mechanical services first will have no problem providing a thorough task checklist. How do you know, though, that technicians are truly utilizing a task-by-task list during scheduled maintenance visits? Simply checking the box isn’t enough. That’s why Trimark Mechanical provides photos that show you before and after on equipment as well as any specific measurements that provide proof of a properly functioning HVAC system.
Here’s what should set off a red flag, if you see it in your maintenance report:
(Anyone can check a box! Also, your filters should be getting REPLACED twice a year.)
Here’s what you’ll see on our reports:
Seeing is believing!
Just to drive the point home, here’s another example. A standard report may have something like this merely handwritten in:
(Anyone can pencil in a number on a report!)
Here’s what will show up on a Trimark report:
Trimark Keeps You Comfortable and Happy Year After Year
Are you not sure if your service partner is providing you with quality information? At Trimark Mechanical, we strive to keep your equipment running efficiently and be your trusted partner for any critical issues or replacements. Our job is to provide photographic proof of what’s been completed during maintenance visits and we aim to uncover problems before they become emergencies.
To keep comfortable and ensure you’re prepared for any future issues, it’s important you know your HVAC system’s health status. But after one of our newest church clients in Fairfax faced the consequences of a system failing at the most critical time of the year, they found themselves asking: is all preventative maintenance equal?
Preventative Maintenance: Four Questions to Ask
In the dog days of summer, this church in Fairfax had experienced issues with their HVAC system. Though they had a trusted firm handling their maintenance, a serious issue popped up, seemingly without warning. The client was left wondering, could better quality preventative maintenance had uncovered the issue sooner?
Here’s what we do know: preventative maintenance involves regularly scheduled service visits to ensure your system is functioning properly and identify potential issues that need further evaluation. Any mechanical services firm can and should provide a detailed maintenance list. The question is, are they really doing what they should? And, how will you know? In the end, you should receive a detailed report with high-quality information. Ideally, preventative maintenance should aim to prevent big repairs or replacements from coming out of the blue.
When looking at the reports you’re getting out of your preventative maintenance agreement, here are four questions to ask:
Is this task list comprehensive? This is just the starting point, and most companies will provide a comprehensive maintenance task list.
Are there things specifically excluded as add-on services? Better to ask about this upfront.
How will I know things are completed? A simple checkbox or handwritten measurement isn’t enough. You need proof.
What is the process if any critical issues are identified? Make sure you’re informed in a timely manner about any potential issues found during maintenance.
Want to know more? Here’s another article on preventative maintenance and what red flags to look for.
For this client, the chiller in their system failed amid the summer heat. Unfortunately, because they were in the height of summer, they found themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. There was no other option but to temporarily fix the system – an unexpected cost of $6,000 – and then install a brand new system after the summer heat.
There’s no way to say with 100% certainty that there was a way to prevent spending money on a stop-gap solution. However, preventative maintenance is designed to give clients options while there’s still time. In general, not only does preventative maintenance keep your system running smoothly, but it also helps identify potential issues down the road, such as a piece of equipment that is nearing the end of its useful life.
Trimark Mechanical Steps in to Resolve the Issue
With the church discouraged from working with their old mechanical service provider, they called in Trimark Mechanical to head the installation of their new system. We recognized the client’s situation and wanted to help them get up and running as soon as possible. Realizing the importance of preventative maintenance, they also decided to switch to Trimark for their maintenance needs.
We Serve Those Who Serve the Community
Your HVAC system is among the largest expenses in your church and comprehensive preventative maintenance is critical to protect that investment. We want to be your trusted partner and take ownership of the performance and lifespan of your HVAC system.
Do you feel like your mechanical service provider isn’t providing you with proper preventative maintenance? At Trimark Mechanical, we’ll strive to improve the operation and lifespan of your equipment, even if we didn’t install it. The first visit is on us, and our sole aim is to give you a better understanding of your HVAC system. Let’s keep your congregation, clergy, and staff comfortable and happy. Contact us today!
When making big decisions, it’s important to remember that your first option isn’t always the best option. This sentiment is especially true for one of our clients who recently avoided a costly expense. A new client in Alexandria almost had to shell out some serious cash when another mechanical service provider incorrectly informed them that the A/C unit serving their classroom was dead and needed to be replaced – when, in fact, it just required a simple part repair. Read how Trimark Mechanical resolved the issue in a timely manner to keep our newest customer comfortable and happy while saving them money.
A Thorough Diagnosis is Always Essential
A client in Alexandria reached out to us because they believed the A/C unit serving their classroom was dead and needed to be replaced. As you can guess, the price for replacing the unit was going to be costly. To make matters worse they needed to rent temporary air conditioning while figuring out a solution to the problem. The recommendation to replace the unit came from a mechanical service firm who the client trusted and partnered with for many decades.
However, when Trimark Mechanical arrived to offer a second opinion, we diagnosed the issue very differently. Following our expert technician’s on-site inspection, it was concluded that the problem was actually the result of a restricted refrigeration line – a fixable issue. We had the refrigeration line repaired and the unit back up and running by 5:30 PM that same day.
Following the repair, we offered to inspect the rest of the site and found the client had a total of 60 pieces of equipment on site that were all old and neglected. After careful consideration, the client and our team created a plan to maintain the upkeep of the functional equipment. We were also able to help them develop a financing strategy to replace their older pieces of equipment. The plan will be presented to the client’s finance committee in the coming days to recommend a proactive game-plan for any other heating and cooling issues that may arise in the future.
Another Happy, Comfortable Client
At the end of the day, this case proves that cost-effective and thorough service requires a mechanical service partner who not only responds to your needs, but anticipates them. The client can now feel assured this repair is going to last for the foreseeable future. More importantly, they now have an action plan and finance strategy to resolve future equipment issues.
If your equipment is between 10-20 years old it may be time to start thinking about proactive repairs or replacement options. Trimark Mechanical will help you develop a plan with the right balance of speed, budget and comfort that won’t leave you ill-prepared in the event of a mechanical issue. Get in touch with us today at 703-891-4600 to schedule a no-cost site inspection.
As you may know by now, Trimark Mechanical is no stranger to dealing with complicated repairs. Well, here’s another BIG case that required some serious investigative skills from our technical team. The only difference is this time we were against the clock. Our client in Alexandria had a 50-ton package unit serving the entire church and it was experiencing some peculiar issues that left our client in a bind. Read how Trimark Mechanical had to go the extra mile to repair a unit’s motor before this church’s big weekend event.
The Trimark Detectives Were on the Case Again
One of our church clients in Alexandria contacted us saying their A/C package unit wasn’t working and the facility wasn’t receiving any cool air. It was especially important they get the unit repaired because the church was hosting an event the upcoming weekend. During Trimark Mechanical’s on-site inspection we noticed that the Variable Frequency Drive had completely melted into a ball of goop.
What is a Variable Frequency Drive?
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor. VFDs are primarily used to reduce energy consumption and energy costs, increase a unit’s operational efficiency and reduce the wear and tear on the motor.
Our initial assumption was that the VFD had melted due to an electrical problem. However, when searching for an electrical component capable of generating that amount of heat, nothing could be found. This required our technical experts to investigate what possibly could have caused the VFD to melt entirely. Since the system was very sophisticated, it needed careful analysis to figure out what exactly was causing the problem.
We uncovered that the supply and return ducts sit underground beneath the church. The immediate concern when something is underground is the risk of water buildup, which is exactly what happened. The church’s sump pump wasn’t draining unwanted water causing the supply and return ducts to completely flood. So this meant the unit was trying to push air into a blockage, which in turn caused the motor to overheat and melt the VFD.
With the system completely out of commission and the event coming up that very weekend, our team had to think quickly about how to handle the repair. First and foremost, we had to drain all the water from the ductwork. Then, to provide a solution in the short term, two of our technician’s volunteered to act as human VFDs during the event to ensure that when the unit was running the motor wouldn’t overheat. What exactly does that mean? Well, it means instead of asking the church to postpone their event, our two technicians worked in alternating shifts turning on the motor for 20 minutes and then off for 10 minutes all while monitoring the temperature of the motor. Talk about going the extra mile! Luckily, by doing this we were able to keep the space comfortable all weekend long. The following Monday we were able to return to the site, replace the failed sump pump and install a new VFD to the motor.
Another Case Closed
Customer satisfaction is at the forefront of the service Trimark Mechanical provides. We never want our clients to feel like they need to sacrifice comfort or halt operations because of a challenging repair. We’re committed to putting our clients’ needs first and doing whatever is necessary to keep them comfortable and happy. This is what has allowed us to be one of the most trusted mechanical service firms in the Washington Metro area for decades. Get in touch with us today at 703-891-4600 to schedule a no-cost site inspection.
Though the weather outside may be unpredictable with frigid winters and sweltering summers, you can almost always count on a consistently pleasant temperature when you step inside. There may be minor fluctuations in a commercial building’s temperature, but chances are they don’t even compare to the changes happening outside.
This reliability is likely due to a building’s HVAC system, working tirelessly to maintain clean and temperate air. A major component of this HVAC system is the Air Handler Unit, which we will examine in more detail to understand exactly why it’s key to an effective commercial ventilation system.
What is an Air Handler Unit?
An Air Handler Unit, or AHU, is an essential component of a commercial heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. It is used to regulate and circulate air that enters from outside a building, in order to heat, cool, and filter as needed. Each time a door is opened or people enter a room, new air is introduced to the indoors that must be managed and maintained. This is done by an air handler. Air handlers can take many forms and vary in size, complexity, and capabilities depending on the area it serves.
How does it work?
An AHU is made up of 3 main components that are all interconnected:
Air filter
Blower
Coils
These three simple pieces comprise the entire air handler unit, and work in unison to monitor air quality. An air handler is often compared to the lungs of a human being, working to take air in, alter its composition, and release it back into space. Here’s how it works: The air filter works to sort particles out of the air. The blower then takes this clarified air and passes it along the coils. Finally, the coils either heat or cool the air depending on the buildings’ needs.
What are the benefits?
Since Air Handler Units have large size and capability variations, they can be used either for a single space or an entire building. When utilized for a commercial-sized building, they are often placed either in the basement or on the roof. From here, the air handler unit can be assigned to certain areas of a building to provide heating or cooling as needed. For example, one AHU can be directed towards Floors 1-5, while another could be directed towards the right side of the building specifically. This process allows for one centralized unit to provide necessary air circulation services for a specified space.
If your commercial building is in need of a new Air Handler Unit, we’re here to help. Many churches, schools, daycares and community-based organizations qualify for a no-cost site inspection. Get in touch today! 703.891.4600.
Many churches, schools, daycares, and community-based organizations have different spaces that serve different purposes. While your entire building can be occupied, sometimes you only need the air conditioning or heat running in a few rooms. So, how can you truly get the most efficiency out of your HVAC system? As your facility comes up on a big replacement, it may be time to consider an alternative to traditional package units: a VRF system.
What is VRF?
A variable refrigerant flow is a version of the mini split system. In other words, you have an outdoor unit connected to various air handlers that condition the air in particular areas of a building.
How does it work?
While each system is a little bit different, in general, a VRF system takes into account several factors when trying to condition the air in each area. We have the temperature set by the user, the outside air condition, as well as efficiency considerations. VRFs do a great job of balancing these factors to create the most comfortable environment.
Basically, as soon as someone turns the indoor unit on, the system will assess outdoor conditions, take into account the system settings such as temperature, and optimize the compressor to work at the exact level to make the space comfortable. Wow, right?
What are the benefits of a VRF?
Beyond the obvious, a VRF system is incredibly efficient. It makes the most sense for spaces where not every single room or area is in constant use. Here’s a rundown of the numerous upsides of this type of system:
High Energy Efficiency
This type of system only conditions air in the rooms you need, making it extremely energy efficient.
Precise Control Over Temperature
No more dealing with an entire building at the same heating level! VRF systems allow you to change temperature settings in each area separately.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Heating and Cooling
Those in-between times of the year when some want heat and others want air conditioning? That’s not a problem either.
Flexible and Modular Design
For buildings that may need to grow in the future, VRFs offer the flexibility to add units as needed. Additionally, because there’s no ductwork, you don’t need to change the historic look of your building.
So, now you know about VRF systems and why they’re a great option for multi-use spaces. The next question is, if you’re coming up on a big replacement, is a VRF system right for you? Give us a call at 703.891.4600 to find out. Many community-based organizations such as churches, daycares, schools, and more qualify for a no-cost site inspection! Get in touch with us today!
When making any big purchase, it’s best to have options. In the case of replacing a commercial rooftop HVAC unit, building managers will often try to get at least two bids, to make sure they’re getting the right equipment at the right price. When it comes down to the fine print though, how do you know that each bid is comparable, and you’re not looking at apples and oranges? In the case of our client in Alexandria, Virginia, being able to compare different bids meant that they had to find at least one partner who they could trust to help. Can you guess who it was?
Replacing a 15-ton package unit seems simple enough, right? Wrong. When a church in Alexandria, Virginia got several bids for the replacement job, they needed some help understanding the differences between each one. Here’s what we discovered:
Mystery Model Numbers
One of the bids that came in had a unit and model number that was different than what all of the other proposals had included. It turned out that the equipment was an older model, leading to questions like: Why would we replace with an older version? Is this an old or refurbished piece of equipment? Was this piece sitting in inventory? In the end, it just didn’t seem right.
Dotting the I’s and Crossing the T’s
The other astonishing thing that happens with many bids is that the language is vague and doesn’t include everything it should. We’ve already learned the first thing that you should look for — the right specifications, including model and unit numbers. Sometimes, especially with older equipment, you have to go a step further and make sure that the existing system was properly identified.
Another aspect that you don’t want to let fly under the radar? Ensuring that the work will be performed to code. For example, for a package unit replacement, code mandates that there should be a duct smoke detector to check for smoke in the return air supply. In other words, to prevent the risk of air getting pulled from where there is a fire. Another example is making sure that there’s a float switch, or a mechanism to shut your system down in the case that a drain is blocked near where condensation is being collected. While an inspector should catch these sorts of oversights, it’s always best to make sure the language is included in a contract in the first place.
Comfortable Spaces = Trust
In the end, our client decided to use Trimark Mechanical for one simple reason: trust. In the end, it came down to working with a company they could trust.
Are you coming up on a big replacement and want to know whether you’re making the right decision for your space? Or, maybe you’re not sure whether your system is on its last leg. Many churches, schools, daycares and community-based organizations qualify for a no-cost site inspection. Get in touch today! 703.891.4600.
Outdoor packaged united, rooftop units, packaged rooftop units; whatever you want to call them, this piece of equipment is used far and wide in HVAC systems for mid-sized commercial buildings such as offices, schools, churches, and retail. But, how exactly do they help keep spaces comfortable? Well, if you’ve ever wondered that, we’ve got some answers for you.
First, let’s take a quick look into your basic package unit:
Air comes into the unit from the building, sometimes combined with air from outdoors. Air moves through filters and evaporator coils to where coolant is used to remove heat and moisture. The blower motor then pushes this newly conditioned air back into the space. The used coolant is recycled back through the condenser coils or compressor so it can be used again. Voila!
Once you’ve got a basic understanding of how a package unit delivered conditioned air to a building, next we can talk about the different variables that separate one package unit from another.
Type
The way the air is treated, whether by electricity or gas, or another mechanism, is based on the type of package unit. Some of the differences betweens types of outdoor and rooftop package units are:
3-Phase Heat Pump: This type of package unit works well for larger capacity systems that need a three phase power supply. As opposed to a single phase unit, these will alternate power generation, transmission and distribution in order to handle large motors and other heavy loads.
Cooling Only: No heat. Simple as that.
Electric Heat: These package units use electricity to produce heat.
Gas Heat: These units use gas to produce heat.
Hybrid (Dual Fuel) Heat: As the name implies, hybrid heat combines the strengths of a gas furnace with an electric heat pump in order to strike a balance between efficiency and lowering your utility bills.
Hydronic Heat: This type of unit uses heated water (either by gas, electricity, or a combo) to warm the air in a space.
The Electric vs. Gas Debate
Both electric and gas have their pros and cons. Gas heat is less expensive, and tends to heat more quickly. However, the equipment can be more expensive and have a shorter lifespan. On the flip-side, electric heat can be more expensive to run and slower to heat a space. It does however have a lower up-front investment, and is generally easier to maintain.
The right unit for your building is based on a lot of factors. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
These days, energy efficiency is on our minds. More than ever, facilities managers are willing to spend more up front in order to gain ongoing energy efficiency. This Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) tells you how much power it takes to run your system. Specifically, it’s the the ratio of the cooling capacity of the unit (in Btu per hour) to the power input (in Watts). For commercial package units, there are various efficiency ratings.
There are other ways to calculate energy efficiency, such as Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) that account for different loads and outdoor temperatures.
So what’s right for your building? The truth is, it depends. The best option is to have an experience firm lay out all of the options so that you can make the best decision.
Capacity (Tons)
Here’s a fact that may help you at your next trivia night: one refrigeration ton is equal to the rate of heat required, 12,000 BTU per hour to be exact, to melt one ton of ice in a 24-hour period. For commercial package units, getting capacity right is a big deal. Too little, and you can’t keep your space comfortable. On top of that, your system will always be working overtime. Too much, and you’ll be wasting (and paying for!) capacity you don’t need.
Another thing to consider is how you can divide up capacity among several units. By creating some redundancy [Link to HVAC Redundancy infographic], you can avoid a total system failure in case one unit has issues.
One of the best ways to make sure your space is comfortable is to be familiar with your HVAC equipment. Now, the next time you see a package unit on the roof or on the side of the building you’ll know exactly how it works. What you may not know is… how reliable is my HVAC system? That’s where we come in. Many of our clients reach out because they don’t know exactly how old their system is, how well it was maintained, and if there’s a chance for a critical issue to crop up. The good news is, many new clients qualify for a no-cost site inspection. Just give us a call at 703.891.4600 to find out, or fill out the form below!
Did you see our previous client story about unraveling the mystery behind a 20+ year old cooling tower in Clinton, Maryland? Well, here’s another case of a system that required some serious detective work. Our client in Falls Church had a 25 ton gas-fired package unit that needed to be replaced, and the way the system was configured left most firms scratching their heads. Read on to see how Trimark Mechanical tackled the job in order to keep our customer comfortable and happy.
It Was Another Case for the Detectives at Trimark Mechanical
A client, a church in Falls Church, Virginia called us to say that they were having issues with their heating and cooling system. In fact, the main sanctuary had no cooling at all. When we arrived at the client’s site we found their package unit had been set up in a “unique” way. The equipment was designed to be a down-flow unit, where both the supply and return air came from the bottom. Instead, it had been jerry-rigged so that the air flow came from the side. Our first task was to figure out why the unit had originally been configured in such a way.
Round Peg, Square Hole… Well, Almost
After doing all the appropriate research, it seemed like the system wasn’t intentionally set up the way it was. So, we wanted to correct the mistake. We made the decision to keep the air ducts the same way and ordered a unit actually intended to be a side discharge. After careful consideration, we went with a high efficiency unit that would be a definite upgrade. We carefully routed the ducts in a way that would work best for the new equipment.
Another Happy, Comfortable Client
In the end, it was another job that proved that even a simple replacement requires real technical expertise. Once the new unit arrived we had our client’s heat back on within a week!
Do you have a hunch that your heating or cooling system is on it’s last leg? Give us a call at 703.891.4600 or click “Get A Quote”. You may qualify for a no-cost site inspection.
