Asked for advice on the Belvidere, IL, School District’s new boilers, the Helm Group’s Service Division recommended Laars Heating Systems Company’s MagnaTherm® FT boilers. The Helm Group was impressed with the product quality as well as Laars’ extended warranty and commitment to supporting customers. Helm Group then competed for and won the contract to install and maintain the Laars systems, successfully installing them in the strict three-month window before the new school year. LAARS, a Bradford White Company, is a benefactor of MCAA25.
Value-Driven Proposition
Heating for Illinois school districts is always a priority. Last school year, Sean Winter, facility director for the Belvidere School District, worked hand-in-hand with the school board as the district had multiple buildings with boilers nearing the end of their lifespan that needed to be replaced prior to the next school year. With a combined enrollment of more than 5,000 students in those schools that needed new equipment (of the more than 8,000 in the district overall), the consequences of a heating system failure were serious. Additionally, it was agreed that any solution chosen had to be uniform and scalable across the district.
The district put a bid out to the public for the pre-purchase of equipment. Helm Group’s Service Division provides HVAC, piping, automation, electrical, and plumbing to the Belvidere School District and also strongly advocates for the district. Because of that relationship, they were able to provide valuable guidance and insights about brand differences. They advised the district to consider the Laars MagnaTherm FT boiler. The school board discovered that this product checked all the boxes to meet the Belvidere School District’s needs: high efficiency, oxygen combustion control, and high turndown to match each school’s heating profile. However, the Laars commitment to field support with their industry-leading extended warranty proved critical in the decision-making process.
“Laars differentiated themselves not only with their product offering but with their extended warranty,” said Pattie Krippendorf, vice president of service at Helm Group. “Because that’s the type of company they are with the quality craftsmanship to stand behind their product.”
When the district chose the Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers and issued an RFP to find a partner for installation and maintenance of the new systems, Helm Group immediately responded. Highlighting their ability to take on the entire project, from assistance with acquisition of the equipment and installation to support and maintenance, plus the value of their familiarity with Laars equipment and existing working relationship with the manufacturer, Helm Group won the job.
“It’s those value-driven propositions that we all want to pursue—being a solution provider and a trusted partner,” Krippendorf said.
The work started quickly once the partnership with Laars and Helm Group was in place. Because of the synergies between the two companies, the “four-legged stool” of contractor, owner, engineer, and manufacturer provided a strong foundation for the project. As Laars sales representatives from Herkowski Stickler and Associates worked directly with the installation team on the ground, the Helm Group team members organized the many components and responded to needs in real time. This level of collaboration enabled the team to keep to the tight timeline while avoiding any major issues.
A Successful Summer
The project took place while the Belvidere School District was on summer break, giving Laars and Helm Group a strict three-month window to complete installation. They successfully stayed on target for the initial installation in six schools, and the district added a seventh school to the project upgrade. All installations were completed in advance of cold weather.
With the installation of the new systems, the district began to realize the savings. With its new, energy-efficient Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers, the school district was able to take advantage of an $80,000 gas incentive rebate from NICOR, the gas provider in the area. Plus, the long-term utility savings generated by the high-efficiency boilers will add up quickly.
“It’s gratifying to help a community organization the size of the Belvidere School District save money and provide safe conditions for students with the installation of our products,” said Chuck O’Donnell, director of marketing at Laars Heating Systems Company. “Our Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers are built to last, and we are confident the professionals at Helm Group will keep them running at optimal performance for years to come.”
In addition to the money saved through energy efficiency, standardizing equipment across a district this large will save space and money over the long run. As more boilers across the Belvidere School District near the end of their lifespan, the district will have the opportunity to standardize around the Laars brand with support from Helm Service, which means they will have to stock fewer parts for maintenance. The project represents a win for all the parties involved.
For more information, visit www.laars.com. MCAA thanks LAARS, a Bradford White Company, for being a benefactor of MCAA25 and providing the convention souvenir bag.
