HVAC systems can be complex. Don’t get us wrong, sometimes a job is as simple as replacing an old piece of equipment with a new one. Often, however, that’s not the case. When our client in Clinton, MD called, needing to replace their 30+ year old cooling tower, the job was anything but simple. In fact, it took a combination of expertise, determination, and a bit of detective work to make sure they were fitted with the right equipment.

In the end, three key factors enabled us to effectively solve our client’s problem:

Here’s an old yet sophisticated cooling tower system at St. Mary’s Piscataway in Clinton, MD.

1. We understand systems with complex configurations.

Our client had an old system, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t sophisticated. This wasn’t a scenario where a new piece of equipment would be placed and plugged in like a refrigerator. The cooling tower featured an underground pump, so that water traveled underground in order to reach the tower. What a previous firm hadn’t realized is that you needed to access a subterranean room to properly assess the system. Our technicians were able to quickly understand the system set up and move on to the hard part…

It took some detective work to figure out the best option to replace this system.

2. We’re able to identify and properly research replacement options for old equipment.

This cooling tower was so old, and in such poor condition, that the model number had literally rusted off. For newer equipment, it’s not rocket science to look up a brand name and model for a replacement. In the case of this system, and many older ones, you need to trust that your mechanical services firm has the right knowledge, the ability to do the research, and the contacts to source hard-to-find equipment. With our knowledge of the way the system was configured, we were able to figure out the exact original model and procure the replacement.

3. We had to expertise to fit new equipment with an old system.

On top of being able to understand the intricate workings of a complex system, firms need to handle the challenge of adding new equipment to a system that may have been built ages ago. In the case of a cooling tower, new technology has to be fitted with a system that may be over twenty years old. If your firm doesn’t “know their stuff”, you could end up with an over-sized or undersized unit – and all the problems that go along with that. In the end, after waiting months for other firms to unsuccessfully come to a solution, Trimark was able to give concrete recommendations after just two days.

When your heating system is on it’s last leg, that last thing you want to do is wait. Unfortunately, our client’s 6 ½ ton package unit failed without warning, leaving an entire section of the school without heat. On one hand, they needed time to evaluate different options to repair the system. They had to consider their budget and what would best keep their students, faculty, and staff comfortable. On the other hand they needed to get the heat up and running as quickly as possible. With Trimark Mechanical, they didn’t have to compromise between the two.

Not Every Option is Created Equally

The school had a number of choices when it came to how they would fix their system. As Trimark Mechanical does with each and every client, we guided them through the pros and cons of each option. From budget, to how each proposed solution would keep their space comfortable, all the way to the local regulations, our team helped advise the client so they could pick the best option.

Knowledge of Local Regulations

Whether intentional or not, many firms don’t consider local regulations, permitting, and inspection procedures. The location of this heating unit, in the back of the school, sandwiched in by a brick wall and a wooden fence, meant that any reconfigurations done without the support of an MEP would set off alarm bells with local mechanical inspectors. While a different system may have initially been seen as more attractive, the prospect of  bureaucratic headache and re-design expenses, proved it wasn’t worth it. For this reason, our advice was to maintain the same system configuration and replace the unit with a newer version of the same system.

We Go the Extra Mile… Literally!

To complicate matters, the closest location with the new heating unit in stock was in Philadelphia. Without the right equipment in stock locally, many firms would have had to delay the repair.. Trimark knew that our client had already promised parents that the heat would be back on, so we decided we needed to find a way to get the replacement done quickly. By negotiating with the manufacturer to expedite delivery, we were able to get the school’s heat back on in a matter of days.

If your equipment is 10, 15, 20 or more years old it may be time to proactively think about repair or replacement options. Find the right balance between speed, budget, and comfort with a mechanical services firm that has worked with schools in the Washington Metro area for decades. Get in touch with us today at 703-891-4600 to schedule a no-cost site inspection.