Building Engineers Archives

You won’t offend us if you tell us the truth…

Spending money and time on your HVAC system isn’t the most glamorous or exciting of duties. And, as a community organization, every time we spend money on preventable HVAC issues, we lament over how those dollars could have been put to use in other, perhaps more impactful, ways.

That being said, not planning properly can come back to you in the worst ways: expensive emergencies, unexpected downtime, headache and mayhem on top of your existing workload.

If you want to plan better and save money on HVAC costs, here are a few key pieces of free advice from experts who have been serving organizations like schools, churches, and daycares for over 30 years:

Know your equipment

The very first step in making better decisions about your HVAC system is to simply be familiar with your system. This means answering questions such as:

What type, size, and capacity are the major components of our HVAC system?
How old is the system, and how does that compare to its estimated useful life?
What is the maintenance history, or what can we assume about this based on the condition of the equipment?
What are the current minor and major issues? Inadequate temperature control? New or updated areas within the building that aren’t served well?
Are there specific times of the year when your equipment doesn’t perform up to par?

Putting a plan in place doesn’t cost a dime

After our first no-cost visit to you, we’ll send you a detailed breakdown of your system that helps prioritize maintenance, and where applicable, planning for larger replacements.

Proper maintenance saves time, money, and hassle

We’ve shared story after story about how stop-gap or short-term solutions waste tens of thousands of dollars, and many of the people who faced these were under the assumption that their equipment was being maintained.

Overgrown by vines, rusted and dilapidated, “crud” in all the crevices…oh my! Here’s what you want to make sure your HVAC doesn’t look like.

Slideshow: HVAC Red Flags

Proper maintenance means that you get proof, like this detailed HVAC maintenance report, that has more than checked boxes, but measurements, and photo documentation to show what work was done. Without that, you can’t be sure your systems are healthy.

Planning for replacements should start 6 – 12 months in advance

You’ve got a plan in place, and now it’s all about timing. It’s hard to get timing perfect, so the best you can do is to plan ahead. Not only is equipment availability hit or miss — we recently helped a client get the last replacement unit that would be available for the next 5 months — manufacturers are increasing their prices by 7-10% every couple of months. Because of the ongoing global supply chain issues,

The timeline for planning if you’re thinking of reconfiguring — as in, not replacing your system with the exact same setup — gets longer. With design and engineering, this type of replacement needs to be planned out a year in advance.

Here’s another example of how not planning well in advance can result in huge unnecessary expenses. We were recently called into a church in Chantilly, because their 80 ton cooling system failed. It was the peak of summer and there was no other option but to find a temporary solution to cool the church while they waited for a new cooling system. The most cost-effective temporary fix, replacing the system’s compressor, still ran $30,000. That didn’t include the cost of the eventual replacement.

Sadly, this church was already aware there were some issues with the cooling system, but hadn’t put a replacement plan in place during the off-season. The best time to start planning for replacements is 2 seasons before that equipment will be in use again.

A good HVAC partner will give you options

You shouldn’t ever feel cornered into making a particular decision. In over 30 years of being in business and working with community organizations, even the more dire emergencies have a couple of options with different pros and cons. Perhaps the “quickest fix” is more expensive but you can’t afford the down time. On the flip side, there may be a more economical solution but it comes with a longer wait.

If you’re ready to plan better and waste less money on HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement, get in touch. Most community organizations qualify for a no-cost initial site visit and you’ll come out with information you can put to use right away.

When you call for heating and cooling help, it’s not uncommon to see your technician taking notes while merely looking at equipment. And yes, visual checks can be a starting point, but when it comes to ensuring the health of your HVAC system, it’s almost always necessary to go further. Here’s how a combustion analysis goes beyond the standard visual check to discover the true status of your heating system.

What is a Combustion Analysis?

A combustion analysis is a series of tests that are performed to measure the efficiency of your gas furnace; it can also bring important safety considerations to light. By measuring the Oxygen (O2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels in your HVAC system, we can determine where there are deficiencies, let you know how you can lower utility costs, mitigate safety issues, and give you a road map for future maintenance.

Could It Be a Combustion Problem?

If you’ve got a persistent HVAC problem, it’s likely that this isn’t the first time you’ve had to make a service call. But it’s possible that a previous maintenance visit – or visits, for that matter – didn’t give you the answers that you needed. A combustion analysis goes in-depth to help diagnose the hairline cracks or leaks that are impacting the efficiency and safety of your system. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you?

The space isn’t heating properly. If locations from essential community spaces to classrooms don’t seem to be heating properly, whether that’s manifesting in uneven distribution of air or what feels like too much or too little of the desired conditions, it could be an issue with your O2/CO2 levels. A combustion analysis can give you more insight into why this is happening, and how urgent the issue at hand is.

It’s too drafty. If your building only seems to give you the chilly half of what you’d expect from a full-service HVAC system, and draws comments and concerns from occupants, then it could be time for a combustion analysis. An underlying issue with a gas furnace can be smoked out with a combustion analyzer that will take the internal temperature from the flue pipe, and make sure everything is within recommended limits.

Utility bills are too high. This means the gas furnace isn’t operating efficiently. This could be happening for a number of reasons and combustion analysis can help rule some of them out. Sometimes, it may even help us figure out that it’s not the system, but rather system controls that need to be reprogrammed.

How Can I Be Sure That My Building is Safe?

Once you complete the combustion analysis, you’ll know if there are any issues related to over-firing, under-firing, smoke spots, condensation and heightened risk for leaks. Your HVAC maintenance team will also take factors like ambient air temperature and stack temperature into consideration, and look for high flame temperatures and effective air-fuel mixing as signals of a healthy heating system.

Are you concerned that your service visits have resulted in visual checks with little to no proof of what work was done, and why conclusions were made? We’ve seen this happen all too often. Give us a call or contact us to see if you qualify for a no-cost site visit.

Most smart decisions come down to asking the right questions. Our newest church client in Falls Church did just this. While they had a firm that was handling routine maintenance, they decided to get more than one bid when a 20-ton unit in their gym went down. Before they chose who would handle this major replacement for them, they asked themselves three very smart questions:

Do they have experience with churches?

Their HVAC, like most churches, is much more complex than any residential unit, but not quite as large as a commercial facility. That being said, they wanted to find a service partner that had experience working with churches.

“Russ, why do you work almost exclusively with churches?”

People ask me this a lot, and it’s a great question. The answer is pretty simple: it’s where my heart is. I started Trimark Mechanical in 1996 when I saw that churches weren’t getting served well. They were either not getting their needs met by companies that were too small, or were being overcharged by larger firms. I’ve developed a team that specializes in the kind of HVAC systems that are common in churches.

Churches have limited resources, so we work to understand their specific challenges and provide options that safeguard the budget.

How We Help Our Churches

Every church has unique HVAC needs, different approval processes, and varying budgets. For example, what if your church has a pipe organ? Can you ensure that a company that doesn’t work extensively with churches will know how to help prevent damage to the instrument?

Are they thinking big picture?

It’s key that you have a partner that can craft a cost-effective plan with your entire system in mind, even when they may only be currently working on one component.

For the client we mentioned, our proposal included an option to also replace an outdated Reznor heater. The heater was working fine, and likely would for a few more years. With the deconstruction and rebuild that was happening for the failed unit though, it made more sense to replace both. Instead of paying twice to take apart the building infrastructure for separate replacements, they could kill two birds with one stone. That’s thinking ahead!

Where’s the proof?

Communication; some folks talk a big talk but you need earnest communication. At Trimark Mechanical, here’s what we do to keep clients in the loop.

Constant Communication: We beat you to the punch line by getting in touch with you about upcoming service visits or repairs before you have to reach out.
A Detailed Maintenance History: Through our cloud-storage solution, clients can access complete, detailed histories of all maintenance and repairs performed on their HVAC equipment.
Photographic Evidence of All Service Calls: Following every service call, we provide before/after photographs as well as specific measurements that prove the system is functioning properly.
Closeout Packages for Major Replacements: Following every large system replacement, we create a closeout package for clients, complete with everything they need to know about their new equipment including, workmanship and manufacturer warranties, building permits, maintenance manuals, contact information, and more.

You already have enough to manage in your day-to-day. Working with Trimark, you’ll never be chasing down the answers you need to keep your congregation, clergy, and staff comfortable.

Consider us a friend in the community

If you’re a church in the Washington-Metro area, your initial site visit is completely free. We’ll come and give you a better understanding of your HVAC system, backed by the expertise we’ve developed serving dozens of churches in the area. Contact us or call us at 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!

Maintaining a comfortable environment in your facility is critical.

Still, many building managers find themselves unexpectedly facing system failure or extended downtime. Why? Because their system wasn’t designed with redundancies, or multiple, separated levels of operation.

Learn more by downloading the infographic.

Download

Trimark Mechanical Helps Minimize Cost and Disruption

Air Handling Units (AHUs) keep people comfortable by moving conditioned air through a large facility. Often bigger than a freight car, they present a challenge to replace. Months of downtime and the disruption of a construction project mean that replacement isn’t ideal. Even if components are worn, there’s a better option than replacing the entire unit: refurbishing the AHU to make it work like new. Trimark Mechanical’s extensive experience in air handler refurbishment cuts costs while shaving weeks (even months) off replacements. From custom-built replacement parts to complete refurbishments, our experts are equipped to handle a variety of air handler repairs.

1. Coils
The first parts of an air handler that start facing issues are coils. Dirt, dust and debris accumulating on coils can lead to small and large-scale performance issues and even system failure. Is your air not cooling properly? This could likely be a frozen evaporator coil.

2. Shaft and Bearings
A noisy and inefficient air handler can be due to shaft and bearing wear. Trimark can clean and refurbish worn out shafts to keep your handler running smoothly.

3. Supply and Exhaust Fans
Fans are constantly spinning, so it’s no wonder that this continuous motion necessitates maintenance and occasional replacement. After years of work, fan blades can become distorted, misshapen, and welded together.

4. Floors, Drain Pans, Drain Pipes
Water collecting at the base of the air handler and refrigerant leaks and cause rust. Trimark can have the floor finished with epoxy, or have the lining redone.

5. Blower Motor
A variety of issues, such as dirt accumulation, rusted bearings, electrical failure, or simply old age can cause blower motor issues. The experts at Trimark promptly diagnose and repair the issue with minimal downtime.

6. Sensors
Temperature, humidity, and airflow are regulated by sensors. They require calibration and may need replacement.

Has your air handler been maintained properly? If you don’t know the answer, contact us at 703.891.4600 or hvac@trimarkmechanical.com. You may qualify for a no-cost site inspection by one of our expert technicians.

Will Startling Refrigerant Costs Burn a Five-Figure Hole in Your Budget?

Coolant supplies are dwindling and prices have skyrocketed due to EPA regulations requiring the complete phase out of R-22 refrigerant. Today, an average 20 ton commercial AC unit requires $12,000 of R-22 freon to ll. Making the decision to replace your systems isn’t only smart, it’s inevitable.

Take a look:

Environmental Regulations Will Raise Costs
If your HVAC unit was installed more than 8 years ago, it is likely that your air conditioner utilizes R-22 refrigerant. Because of growing concerns about the environment, production of systems using R-22 refrigerant has been phased out. New systems call for R-410A refrigerant, a chlorine-free, ozone-friendly alternative that is safer for the environment.
Limited Supplies = Skyrocketing Prices
As it is being phased out, R-22 costs have escalated by ten times over the last five years. Even clients asking to simply have their refrigerant “topped off” are incurring costs in the thousands. In the case you have to refill older systems because of coolant leaks, you may face startling, significant stress on your budget.
Will Replacement Mean Less Hassle?
Refilling old units with a different refrigerant may not be the answer, and the vast majority of older units will suffer from performance issues when using the new R-410A coolant. Our clients who manage multi-family units have been pleasantly surprised to learn that replacement offers immediate cost savings. Instead of hassling with obsolete equipment and outrageous costs, replacing ultimately saves money, time, and keeps their residents happy.

Eventually, replacement will be the only option. We’ve worked with multi-family properties in the District, Virginia, and Maryland community for years, and can give you honest recommendations on how to achieve cost savings on bulk replacements. We understand your concerns and have a big-picture mindset that helps you focus on strategically planning for unexpected regulatory changes.

Is it time to replace your AC systems? If you don’t know, complete this self-assessment to understand the impact of rising costs of R-22 refrigerant on your budget.

If you want to speak to a member of our team to learn how the R-22 phase-out will affect your budgets, give us a call at 703.891.4600.

You may qualify for a no-cost site inspection by one of our expert technicians. Call us at 703.891.4600.

Good news! Your boiler made it through the season’s first frost. Bad news? This may not mean you’re safe from a boiler breakdown this winter. Our expert team put together five handy questions to help you assess the health of your heating system. Just 5 minutes could be the difference between a smooth winter and the inconvenience of a system failure.

Take a look:

How old is your boiler?
Once your system hits about 20 years old it’s time to make sure you won’t be facing unexpected downtime.

Have heating bills been abnormally high?
If your boiler hasn’t been maintained, or at least inspected, the lack of efficiency will lead to astronomical heating bills.

Do you hear rumbling or banging noises?
After years of sediment build-up, loud noises mean your boiler is operating inefficiently, or worse – nearing the end of its life.

Have you noticed any leaks or moisture?
Moisture near your boiler is a sign that there’s a small leak or fracture, and that it’s definitely in need of repair.

Can you remember the last time an expert looked at your system?
It might be time to give Trimark a call and find out if you qualify for a no-cost site inspection.

The most expensive option, with the longest potential downtime, is waiting until you face an HVAC emergency to take action. Trimark’s technology-driven predictive maintenance allows you to budget for repairs and keep your space comfortable year-round. Give us a call at 703.891.4600.