Blog

This is a subtitle for your new post

When purchasing new rooftop units (RTUs), the immediate focus often lands on the upfront costs: the purchase price and installation. However, a deeper look reveals that these initial expenses are only a small fraction of the overall financial commitment. To truly understand the long-term financial implications of your investment, it is crucial to evaluate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) . WHAT IS TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP? TCO encompasses the complete lifecycle costs of your facility and its equipment, providing a comprehensive view of both short-term and long-term expenses. Beyond the initial purchase and installation costs, TCO includes ongoing operational expenses such as energy consumption, maintenance, repairs, and eventual replacement. By adopting a TCO-focused approach, buyers can make more informed decisions that align with their financial and operational goals. WHY TCO MATTERS Uncovering Hidden Costs Many RTU-related expenses are not immediately apparent at the time of purchase. These can include: Energy Consumption: RTUs with lower energy efficiency ratings may have lower upfront costs but can lead to significantly higher energy bills over time. Maintenance and Repairs: Frequent maintenance or costly repairs for less durable units can add up quickly, impacting your budget. Downtime Costs: Breakdowns can disrupt operations, leading to additional expenses from lost productivity or temporary cooling/heating solutions. Compliance Costs: Adapting older, less efficient units to meet evolving energy regulations can result in unexpected expenditures. Optimizing Long-Term Savings Investing in energy-efficient RTUs might involve higher initial costs, but these units typically deliver substantial savings through reduced energy consumption. Over time, the lower utility bills and fewer maintenance needs can offset the upfront expense, making these models more cost-effective in the long run. Durability and Lifespan High-quality RTUs with a longer lifespan can help delay the need for replacement, further optimizing the value of your investment. Units built for durability also tend to perform more reliably, minimizing disruptions and associated costs. MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION Evaluating the TCO of RTUs allows for a side-by-side comparison of different models based on key factors such as: Energy Efficiency Ratings Maintenance Requirements Durability and Build Quality This analysis helps you strike the right balance between upfront costs and long-term value, ensuring that the unit you choose supports both your financial objectives and operational needs. THE BIGGER PICTURE: FINANCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Considering TCO is not just about saving money—it’s also about making smarter, more sustainable choices. Energy-efficient RTUs not only lower operational costs but also reduce carbon footprints, aligning your investment with environmental stewardship and compliance with green building standards. Focusing solely on the initial purchase price of an RTU can be a costly mistake. By incorporating TCO into your purchasing process, you gain a holistic understanding of the unit’s true cost over its lifespan. This proactive approach minimizes surprises, maximizes cost-effectiveness, and ensures your investment delivers value for years to come. Before purchasing your next RTU, take the time to evaluate its TCO—your future budget will thank you. Contact your BCS representative to explore more on Total Cost of Ownership and how we can support your financial and operational goals.

The average American spends 93% of their life indoors. For a school aged child, that is spent largely at school. According to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are almost 99,000 public K-12 schools in America and the average public-school building in the U.S. is 42 years old. Our students are spending their days […] The post The Importance of HVAC to the K-12 Learning Environment appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

We are thrilled to announced that our Strategic Energy and Maintenance Program with St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas received a Top Project of the Year Award in the Energy Manager Today Product & Project Awards. The project was recognized for excellence in improving environmental and energy management while increasing the bottom line. One judge said […] The post Performance Solutions Earns Top Project of the Year Award from Energy Manager Today appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

Underfloor Technology, or Underfloor Air Distribution (UAD/UFAD), is a method of delivering space conditioning in offices and other commercial buildings. It uses open space between a structural concrete slab and the underside of a raised access floor system to deliver conditioned air directly into an occupied zone of a building. The air is delivered through […] The post Benefits of Underfloor HVAC Technology appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

BCS partnered with Siemens Building Technologies to bring an understanding of energy efficiency to local Kansas school district, USD 265 Goddard Public Schools. BCS’s Steve Mankins, spent three days in sixth grade classrooms engaging students in hands-on activities about renewable energy sources. We incorporated the district’s recent energy efficient HVAC, lighting and infrastructure upgrades into […] The post BCS Partners with Siemens Technologies to Bring Hands-On Solar Energy Learning to Goddard Public Schools appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certifications are globally recognized as a symbol of achieving building sustainability. As defined by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. It provides a framework for all building projects to apply healthy, highly efficient and cost saving strategies. […] The post How to Effectively Implement LEED Certification Design appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

Your 30-year old heating and cooling system is taking up more and more of your facility team’s time to keep running. It’s past time to consider its inevitable replacement. The cost of shutting down school to fix a chiller, air handling unit, or boiler is not in the budget. The district is ready to pass […] The post 6 Features Your Building Systems Need to Pass the Next School Bond appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..

In a school, there are several important resources, systems, and equipment to keep all moving parts running. One important system that needs to always be in working order is the fire alarm system. When parents send children to school, they put trust in the school to keep their children safe and away from danger. Parents expect […] The post Secure Your School with an Integrated Fire and Life Safety System appeared first on Building Controls and Services, Inc..