Summer is officially here and the Farmer’s Almanac says that this one’s going to be hot, hazy, and humid – not a great combination for keeping your congregation, clergy, and staff comfortable. In fact, it’s a recipe for disaster if you aren’t sure how reliable your HVAC system is. Our 90+ degree days put extra stress on your systems, and old ones tend to fail when you need them most.

Recently, we helped Gaithersburg Presbyterian replace one of their systems and talked about a plan for the future. Here’s how we helped them keep their space comfortable:

After their system faltered on the first 80-degree day (not even 90s!), our team outlined options to replace their outdated equipment, which included one 10-ton condensers, and a 10-ton air handler.

Their old units used R-22, a coolant that has been phased out by the EPA. Not only is R-22 hard to come by, it’s also prohibitively expensive – we’re talking about potential five-figure coolant costs. Newer units run on efficient, more affordable coolants.

We replaced the 10-ton unit responsible for cooling the lower floor of building three, as well as the air handler – both of which were almost 20 years old. The replacement was complete within 2 days in order to minimize any disruptions to church operations.

Soon after, they faced another failure. This time it was a 30-ton rooftop unit. Our team was able to promptly assess the situation and quickly order the new RTU. Throughout the process, we helped Gaithersburg Presbyterian make the best choices for their church. When their systems first failed, we compared the cost of replacing components versus replacing the entire unit. We determined that because of the age of the failed units, replacement was a better option.

By prioritizing critical replacements, we also helped Gaithersburg Presbyterian with capital planning so that they were able to plan for the inevitable replacement of the second 10-ton AC condenser unit – this time, before it fails completely. As usual, we proactively help our clients keep their spaces comfortable.

Are you confident that your church’s HVAC system will make through on a 90-degree day? How about 95 degrees? If you nervously check the heat index each morning, it may be time to see if you qualify for a no-cost inspection. Give us a call at 703.891.4600 or simply email me back at rrowzie@trimarkcorporation.com.