20 years….

That’s the average age of HVAC equipment in the 100+ churches in the DC Metro Area. In many cases, that equipment could be on its last leg. Once HVAC systems get to this age, their efficiency declines, and energy bills go up. Regular maintenance can extend a unit’s lifespan, but eventually, replacement is inevitable. The key is planning ahead so that you can upgrade your HVAC system in the smartest way possible.

A church client in Annandale took us up on an offer to plan their HVAC replacements ahead of time. We spread milestones out over several years to help the church with their capital budgeting and reduce the likelihood of expensive emergency repairs. It was a plan that any company could use, if they decided not to proceed with Trimark.

In the end, the client wanted to work with a team experienced with DC area faith organizations

One of the biggest, most complex replacements that we handled was a 25 ton air handling unit that serviced the school’s gym. The unit was tucked between piping in a mechanical closet and was close to its last leg. It was a priority to replace before a potential breakdown.

The first challenge we faced wasn’t a surprise: long lead times on equipment. The newer version of the unit, by the same manufacturer, would take eight months to arrive. That was risky, but what was the other option? We looked into alternatives from other manufacturers with the same exact specifications and ended up finding a match that would arrive in three months.

The new air handling unit arrived 5 months sooner… but there’s more

With good news, there’s always a catch, right? WRONG! By switching from York to Carrier, not only were we able to get the project underway months ahead, but we also saved the church 20% on the cost of the equipment. Talk about a win, win.

You’re going to put that… where??

Take a look at where the new unit would need to be installed:

Not a lot of wiggle room. Like many churches, the mechanical systems weren’t designed for easy access or replacement. The unit was 40” wide and the space to fit it in was 42” wide. Challenge accepted. We removed the old equipment, piece by piece, reconfigured the ductwork, wiring, and piping, and installed the new unit in a single day. Cue the mission impossible theme song.

Signed, sealed, delivered

Now, we didn’t exactly put a bow on it, but we did wrap up the project with our signature installation packet. This is a binder the Trimark team provides contains all of the details on the equipment, installation, servicing, warranties, etc all in one place.

If your HVAC is nearing the end of it’s useful life, let’s talk. If you’re not sure about the age or lifespan of your equipment, take a look at this useful chart. Trimark Mechanical offers no cost initial site visits to organizations that serve the community, such as churches, schools, daycares, hospitals, medical facilities, and elder care facilities. We can help you create a smart plan to keep your system running smoothly, and handle replacements before they turn into emergencies.