Prime Storage is a self-storage company with locations throughout the West, the South, the Midwest, and the East Coast. Recently, N.E.T.R., Inc. worked with a Prime Storage location in Dracut, MA to help with their heating issues.
The company's commercial heating system had stopped working due to a cracked heat exchanger over a year ago. In the meantime, employees were warming themselves with space heaters in the offices. When reps from Prime Storage reached out for help with their heating, N.E.T.R., Inc. sent over a licensed commercial HVAC specialist to assess the situation.
The company had its old commercial heating equipment on the roof, but the heating unit was too large for the building's heating needs. While many commercial HVAC professionals would have simply replaced the heating unit with a similarly sized unit, N.E.T.R., Inc. took the time to evaluate the current heating system and make recommendations that would help Prime Storage save money upfront and in the long run.
The existing heating system was a 7.5 ton model, and N.E.T.R., Inc. replaced it with a 5 ton model. That shaved between $2,000 and $3,000 on upfront equipment and installation costs, and having the right size equipment also saves money on future operating costs. The old unit was a 180,000 BTU system while the new system produces just 100,000 BTUs.
When a commercial heating unit is too large, it heats up the space very quickly, and then, it cycles off right away. As heat escapes through walls and windows, the space cools down rapidly. This aggressive cycle repeats constantly throughout the day, and every time the heating system powers up, it uses more energy than it does while running. This pattern drives up heating bills, while also decreasing comfort levels. By accurately assessing the company's heating needs, N.E.T.R., Inc. helped Prime Storage find the right fit while reducing costs and increasing comfort levels.
The Problem: Prime Storage in Dracut, MA had a broken commercial heating unit. The staff used heaters to keep themselves warm through the winter. The existing heating system was also too large for the building's needs.
The Solution: N.E.T.R., Inc evaluated Prime Storage's facility. N.E.T.R., Inc. realized the heating system was oversized and helped the company move to a smaller more efficient unit.
N.E.T.R., Inc. wanted to ensure that the people working at Prime Storage were warm and comfortable as soon as possible. By considering the number of people in the building, the size of the space, the R-value of windows and walls, and the construction of the building, they determined the existing system was too large for the space. Because the old unit was oversized, the installation crew needed to put in an Adapt-a-Curb to accommodate the new smaller unit. Adapt-a-Curb customizes transition pieces for this purpose, and the company usually takes five to 10 business days to make the piece. In this situation, N.E.T.R., Inc. had the right piece in about five days, and the commercial heating installation crew headed straight to Prime Storage once they had everything they needed.
The installation team used a crane to move out the old heating system and put in the new one. Then, they wired in the fuse disconnect and got the system running. Once the Adapt-a-Curb was ready, the installation process took just one day.
After evaluating the existing heating system, N.E.T.R., Inc. also suggested new ducts. The current ductwork was flexible with a lot of twists and turns that could make heating less efficient. However, Prime Storage decided not to replace their ductwork. At the post-installation follow-up, the reps from Prime Storage reported that they were happy with the airflow and the heating provided by the new unit. Currently, they felt comfortable staying with the existing ductwork but may revisit the ductwork installation in the future.
Improve Your Heating and Air ConditioningYou don’t have to suffer from inadequate or inefficient heating and cooling solutions anymore. Contact N.E.T.R., Inc. and let one of our specialists design a solution for you. We have years of experience servicing businesses and residences in the Boston, MA, area and we’ll find the perfect HVAC system to suit your needs.
Don’t spend another winter relying on space heaters to keep your staff warm, or a summer dealing with window ACs. Call today.
