R-22 is Being Phased Out

R-22 Prices go Up Fast

The R-22 refrigerant has quadrupled in price over the last 30 days so all you customers with old R-22 systems need to start budgeting for the new high-efficiency 410-A air-conditioners. The new systems will pay for themselves within five years on the energy savings they will get. R-22 refrigerant cost sky rocket through the roof with 300% cost increases. This impact will cost our Commercial & Residential home owner another 30% on freon related repairs.

According to Air Conditioning Contractors of America recent actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding HCFCs have led to uncertainty about the availability of R-22 in the coming months and years. In response, contractors have noticed a ramp-up in the chatter about R-22 and price changes as some manufacturers and importers have amended their sales policies.

This situation is the culmination of several factors, including the continued implementation of the federal government’s policies regarding HCFCs, current market conditions, and delays in the regulatory process. As most contractors know, the EPA controls the production of HCFCs, including the refrigerant known as R-22, through allowances that limit how much each gas manufacturer and importer can produce or import in a given year. Under the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the production and use of R-22 is slowly being phased out, hence the price increase. We are trying to make the transition to the high-efficiency 410-A air-conditioners. So keep this in mind when your repair prices start going through the roof and start saving now for the new higher efficiency unit that uses 410-A. For more information please visit: https://www.acca.org/archives/industry-resources/government-affairs/hot-air/6509

Get Ready for Summer

Summer is Fast Approaching... Make Sure to get your Regular Service & Maintenance

Make sure your AC system is ready for the brutal Florida summer. Maintenance and service of the equipment for the upcoming season is crucial. In order to get ready for the hot conditions – make sure your filter is changed on a regular basis and your thermostat is set at 78-80 degrees when you are not home.

Tips for our residential customers: Always add a cup of bleach in the drain line whenever you change the filter and remember to do this once a month and a good idea is to do this when you get the power bill. If the filters are dirty the machine will run harder and longer and will drive up your energy costs. Need to learn how to change your filter or clean your drain line – call us today!

If you need a Schwenn technician to service your unit please call us to schedule an appointment at (407)-895-7550. 

Winter Park Road Race - 10k

Office 10k in Winter Park

Well the Schwenn Office was challenged to a foot race in the Winter Park Road Race. It is a 10K which equates to 6.2 Miles of running through the streets of Winter Park. Our Challenger was a CPA firm, which I will not mentioned to protect their identity. I accepted the Challenge and then told 3 other members from our firm, Jeff Schwenneker Jr. Jenifer Schwenneker & Cynthia Marino. I figured since it was our accounting firm that made the challenge I might as well include the finance department to run lol. After 6 weeks of training , we were off, i-pods on, watches started, the Schwenn team was off and running. For the next hour we were, sweating, breathing "if we could", looking over our shoulders as we one by one crossed the finish line, collecting medals and looking for the volunteer with the water.

When the dust settled we all defeated our challengers and won the challenge - Lunch at Bahama Breeze. It is always so much fun to get away from the office with co-workers and do something as a Schwenn team. Congrats to Jeff Schwenneker Sr., Cynthia, Jeff Jr. & Jennifer for rising to the challenge and going out there and taking care of business. GO!! Team Schwenn!!!

Schwenn Services Welcomes

New Members to Schwenns Services' Team

Schwenn Services would like to welcome the following to the Schwenn Team:

Ron Snyder- Estimator

James Johnson - Mechanic

Jeff Keller - Service Technician

Cody Cheshire - Service Technician

Dwayne Sexton - Refrigeration/Piping

Dustin Crowe – Mechanic

We look forward to working with each of you!

Annual Schwenn Services Trip to the Tracks

Gatorade Dual

Schwenn Services participated in their annual trip to Daytona International Speedway for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona. After lunch at the Osteen Diner, the Schwenn Team placed their bets and headed to the track.  The big winners for the day turned out to be newcomer Ron Snyder from the Estimating Department, and Cliff Paroz from Manheim Central Florida Auto Auctions.  It was a great day away from work for the Schwenn Team and their customers and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.

Runner's Corner with Jeff

Disney Princess Weekend

My favorite race so far was the Disney races at the end of February. I ran in the family 5k with my two sons Jeffry and Brent & my granddaughter Jordan. We were supposed to be in the stroller division but my granddaughter insisted on running the whole race. To our surprise she did... She refused to stop for water or pictures because she said, "Papa I have to win." All the photographers insisted she was the youngest one out there but that didn't stop her motivation. My son Brent finished the race in 24:00 and Jeffry, Jordan and I finished in minutes 40 minutes. Great job Jordan, we are so proud of you!

Then the next day ran the Princess half with my Daughter-in-law and Marketing Director Jenny Schwenneker. After a long day of racing the day before we had to be at Disney by 4:00am and in our corral by 5:00am. We made our corral just as the gun went off. It was very crowded and we spent most of our energy weaving in and out of the crowds trying to find our pace. We really pushed each other and were able to PR. I finished with a time of: 1:58:52 and Jenny finished with a time of: 1:59:47

Now we are looking forward to the 10k on March 24th.  Track Shack is hosting the 35th Annual Winter Park Road Race presented by Florida Hospital. Our whole office is joining so please let us know if you want to race with team Schwenn. Email Jenny at jennifer@schwennservices.com for more details. We would love to see you there! Click here for more Details.

Runner's Corner with Jeff

Marathon Complete

Well, I did it... The Marathon Run is in the history books. What a rewarding accomplishment. I flew out on a Saturday morning arrived midafternoon in time to pick up running packets and visit the run expo. Of course in Vegas everything is big. There were 44,000 runners in town to run so you could imagine the buzz that was in the city. So all of the training is finally over. My body is fueled properly and time for the sneakers to hit the road.

Race morning we headed for Mandalay Bay for the start of the race. We were in Corral B, all the rock and roll bands were playing and when the starter gun went off so did the fireworks and 44,000 runners. The first part of the marathon was done in the dessert district which was less to be desired. I even saw my business competition if I ever decide to go to Vegas and open a branch. At the half way point we were back at Mandalay bay and headed down the Vegas strip. It was amazing the amount of fans cheering us on to the finish. They were the very best ever.

There are times when you think you can't go anymore and you see a sign one of our fans are holding that says “ You know why your feet hurt so bad because you are kicking everyone’s butt!” There is no better feeling than to look up at mille 22 and see the finish line 4.2 miles away and you can't feel your feet, your legs, and your arms are tired, your back hurts, and your hands are freezing oh did I say it was 41 degrees at the finish line. But the 18 weeks of training kept us pushing to the end. There was no better feeling than to enter the finishing line area and know that we made it to the finish!!

Moving forward to 2012 I have already completed the Disney Half Marathon in 2:02, and the Seasons 52 5K in Winter Park. I also finished the St. Pete Half Marathon with my best time ever: 1:59:58... Finally under 2 hours.

2012 1st Quarter Employee Spot Light

"THE MAN"

This quarter’s employee spotlight is on Reggie Pomerleau. Reggie is the Vice President of Schwenn Services’ Piping Division. Reggie has brought a wealth of knowledge, a work ethic that is unmatched, and a passion for his job and his customers that is unequaled to the Schwenn Team. The Schwenn Team’s core values are Quality Work and Great Customer Service, and Reggie certainly exemplifies both of those values. Reggie’s dedication to customer service, his level of quality that he provides, and his desire to be successful are one of the primary factors in Schwenn Services’ growth over the past several years. There are very few craftsmen left in the world, and Reggie is certainly one of them.

Food Critique w/ Jeffry

Restaurant of Choice this Quarter

This quarter’s restaurant of choice is Thai House of Orlando. If you are looking for affordable, great tasting food, this is the place. Rated 88% favorable on Urban Spoon, the food is downright delicious. The dishes range from soups and salads to noodle and rice dishes. The sauces are not too heavy and the size of the meals are such that you are full, but not to the point of needing a nap.

If you want a quiet, light lunch, go for the Wonton Soup and steamed Chicken Dumplings. For a heartier meal, try the Pad Thai or Chili Jam is rice. At Thai House, the secret is the spices. When you place your order, tell the server is you want Regular Hot, Medium Hot, or for you brave souls, Thai Hot. For dessert, finish your meal off with a bowl of fried ice cream with chocolate sauce and coconut ice cream. Thai House is a great local establishment that serves great tasting food quickly, and at an affordable price.

Thai House of Orlando - thaihouseoforlando.net/

Wins with Schwenn: Holmes Regional Medical Center

Cart washer Lab

This project was also done for Health first Hospital and Reggie Pomerleau acted as the superintendent for the overall mechanical and electrical portions. The description was for us to run conduit and wire from an existing electrical panel so as to provide power for a new exhaust fan being installed by the mechanical team. We also provided and installed a new Variable Frequency Drive in the mechanical room to help the hospital control the overall speed and function of the exhaust fan. Ran conduit and pulled wire to the low voltage control box in mechanical room so as to connect the fan with the hospital control system.

Wins with Schwenn: Holmes Regional Medical Center

Histology Lab

For this project listed above Health First Hospital was the customer and Reggie Pomerleau acted as the superintendent for the overall mechanical and electrical portion of the job. The description was for us to disconnect power to the existing grossing hoods and reuse circuits to re-feed new grossing hoods being installed by the mechanical team. We also had to run new conduit and pull new wire from hospital panels to provide necessary critical power that was shown on the drawings. Difficulty was the coordination to work around hospital staff and staff hours but we made it work. Job complete!

Champs Sports Bowl

Jeffry Wins Friendly Wager 

Unfortunate Notre Dame Fan Ryan Wheeler lost a bet to Florida State fanatic Jeffry Schwenneker due to the beat-down Florida State put on Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl on December 29th at the Citrus Bowl. Ryan is an outstanding technician and a very valuable asset to the Schwenn Team......he just doesn’t understand football. Florida State 18 - 14 Notre Dame.

"Thank you Debbie and QLM for the tickets!!!"

Schwenn Services Teams up with Milan Engineering

Schwenn Qualifies for 8(a) Projects

Schwenn Services has teamed up with Milan Engineering to qualify for 8(a) projects.  Schwenn & Milan are able to combine Schwenn's construction expertise with Milan's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing expertise to provide a one stop design/build service to federal, state, and local governments and contractors looking for minority 8(a) points.   

For more information on 8(a) certifications please visit: http://www.sba.gov/content/8a-business-development

For more information on Milan Engineering visit:

http://www.milan-engineering.com/

Schwenn Services Can't Wait to See What's in Store

New Year. New Attitude.

Schwenn Services is looking forward to the challenges that 2012 has in store.  We plan on attacking the New Year by providing outstanding customer service, and quality work delivered on time and on budget. The mechanical contracting field is competitive but you will not go wrong with choosing Schwenn Services.

Schwenn Services, “the super sub of Central Florida,” specializes in mechanical and electrical contracting for commercial clients, particularly fast-track construction that require short schedules, high intensity design/build and right-sizing jobs in distress. The company has been family owned and operated for over two decades and prides itself in personalized service and outstanding quality work. They have never missed a deadline. The company’s portfolio encompasses a wide variety of industry success stories and aesthetically pleasing design/build jobs, namely banks, hospitals and healthcare facilities, government office buildings, schools, law firms, places of worship, movie theatres, restaurants and high-rise condominium complexes.

Mechanical contracting projects almost always require an electrical component. You can count on Schwenn for both. Schwenn project managers, estimators, and field supervisors have over 100 years of combined experience in industry and have never missed a deadline.