4 Ways HVAC Manufacturer’s Reps Add Value to Commercial Building Projects

Design engineers, contractors, and facilities teams have a lot on their plates, juggling projects while attempting to keep pace with rapidly shifting technologies in the commercial HVAC industry. It’s sometimes easier to just “go with what you know” instead of exploring new technologies or solutions that may lengthen equipment life, increase overall system efficiency, or even contribute to greater occupant building comfort. Enlisting a manufacturer’s rep to help sort through available solutions can often ease the burdens of professionals responsible for keeping equipment running and, probably most important, occupants happy.

 
Here are four ways that a manufacturer’s rep can add priceless value to your next new or retrofit commercial hydronic HVAC and plumbing systems: 
 

1. Expertise of sales engineers.If you’re working with a manufacturer’s rep with sales engineers on staff, you’re reaping the benefit of both technical information and years of experience. Not only do they have the collegiate thermodynamics education, but they also have the privilege of focused knowledge gained only by specializing in hydronic HVAC and plumbing equipment. These sales individuals can be the best source of knowledge in the industry. If you need help sizing a boiler, they can help. If you experience a problem after installation, they can troubleshoot. If you’re trying to retrofit equipment into an 80-year-old building, they can assist. They work with this equipment every single day, almost 365 days a year. Now that’s dedication you can trust.
2. A hotline to the manufacturer.If you have a problem on your site, you might solely be responsible to get it resolved. You don’t want to spend an hour on the phone with customer service. Working with a manufacturer’s rep means you can make one phone call and let them help you resolve the problem while you troubleshoot other issues on your job site or work on other projects. 
3. Product training. Manufacturer's reps can offer product training and information sessions for specific pieces of equipment and/or system designs.  They can help design engineers understand how a solution fits in a building comfort system, and they can offer service technicians and contractors a close-up view of how a pump, boiler or cooling tower should be installed or maintained. 
4. Extraordinary customer service.The truth is the only reason that manufacturers' reps exist is to help you. That’s it. Without you, there is no business. You should expect your phone calls to be answered. You should expect your emails to be returned in a timely manner. Helping customers is what manufacturer’s reps do. Finding solutions to your problems is not only a challenge but a joy for the best of the manufacturer’s reps. A job well done, and a satisfied customer is all in a day’s work. 

Manufacturers' reps are chosen by the manufacturer for a specific set of skills they can offer to the end-user. My advice would be to choose your rep based on the expertise they can offer and then let them help you select the right equipment for your building comfort systems. Many pieces of equipment can get the job done for you, but only the right rep can help you achieve maximum results. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to find out more! You can give me a call at 919.239.9200 or email me at shane.lafleur@heattransfersales.com.