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Stop Snow and Ice Before They Stop You: Optimize Air Inlet Performance with Heated Louver Solutions

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Winter weather can bring HVAC systems to a halt—but it doesn’t have to. In this SVL Coffee Break Webinar, Veotec’s co-owners Peter Valsler and Mike showcased how their advanced heated louver solutions keep air inlets clear, airflow stable, and critical facilities online, even in the harshest cold-climate conditions.

For building owners, engineers, and facility managers operating commercial HVAC systems, this discussion offered valuable insights into preventing costly downtime and maintaining reliable ventilation through snow, ice, wind-driven rain, and extreme cold.

Why Snow and Ice Can Shut Down Commercial HVAC Systems

For rooftop units, AHUs, data centers, and industrial ventilation systems, snow and ice buildup at the air inlet is one of the most overlooked failure points. Traditional horizontal louvers, bird screens, and hooded intakes can pack with snow quickly—choking airflow and triggering cascading operational problems.

Peter and Mike highlighted real-world examples across hospitals, laboratories, food processing plants, pharmaceutical facilities, power plants, and data centers. When the air inlet plugs:

  • Hospitals face shutdowns or compromised indoor air quality
  • Power and turbine systems derate or fail
  • Data centers risk thermal overload and costly outages
  • Manufacturers lose production time to cleanup and re-sterilization

As the presenters emphasized, heated louvers are inexpensive insurance that protect the performance and lifespan of commercial HVAC equipment.

High-Performance Vertical Louvers for Winter Protection

Veotec’s system begins with a compact, engineered vertical wind-driven rain louver—a major upgrade from the industry-standard horizontal louver. Their SE1 design removes fine droplets, mist, and fog before they can reach filters or coils, improving:

  • Filter life
  • AHU efficiency
  • Indoor air quality
  • Moisture control within the air handler

Available in stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic, Veotec louvers are used across commercial, industrial, and marine environments—including nuclear remediation, transit applications, food processing, and building intakes exposed to severe weather.

Electrically Heated Louvers: Instant Snow Melt at the Intake

For cold-weather markets like Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada, electrically heated louvers offer precision control and consistent performance.

Key highlights from the webinar:

  • Self-regulating or constant wattage heating elements
  • Ideal intake velocity of 505–550 fpm
  • Proven reliability for hospitals, turbines, generators, and energy facilities

Live test videos demonstrated snow melting instantly upon contact—a powerful visual showing why heated louvers eliminate ice loading and prevent blocked intakes.

Fluid-Heated Louvers: Efficient Use of Existing System Energy

The standout innovation for the commercial HVAC audience was Veotec’s fluid-heated louver, which uses hydronic heating water or glycol from the existing coil loop to melt snow at the air inlet.

This design effectively transforms the louver into a vertical heat exchanger, delivering:

  • 15–20°F air temperature rise
  • Significant snow-melt capacity
  • Reduced risk of filter freeze-up
  • Improved energy efficiency of the downstream coil
  • Performance equivalent to adding a two-row coil—turning an 8-row AHU into a 10-row system

Because these louvers use heat already present in the system, they offer a highly sustainable, low-energy snow melt solution ideal for commercial buildings prioritizing efficiency.

Drainage, Maintenance & Aesthetics—Designed for the Real World

Veotec’s heated louvers include integral drain troughs that capture meltwater and route it to building drainage. Installers can trace heat the drain piping as needed.

Maintenance is simple: louvers can be washed with city water or mild detergents and are durable enough to withstand power washing.

To meet architectural requirements, Veotec louvers can be powder coated in standard colors or installed behind decorative façade louvers without compromising performance.

Retrofit-Friendly for Commercial HVAC Upgrades

SVL and Veotec emphasized how easy these louvers are to retrofit onto existing air handlers, rooftop units, and building intakes. Many installations take less than an hour of mechanical downtime.

SVL’s engineering team and Veotec’s custom design support allow:

  • Field measurements and engineered fit-up
  • Matching existing flange patterns
  • Integration with AHU housings or outdoor air hoods
  • Structural consultation when needed
  • Fast-turn drawings and submittals

For commercial HVAC contractors, this simplicity translates to smoother installs and minimal disruption to occupied buildings.

Commercial HVAC Reliability Starts at the Air Inlet

Veotec’s heated louvers give building owners and engineers the confidence that their systems will keep running—no matter how severe the winter gets. With benefits in energy efficiency, uptime, and filter protection, these louvers provide a powerful upgrade for any commercial HVAC air handling unit.

To explore heated louver solutions or plan a retrofit, contact your SVL Sales Engineer. Our team can help specify the right Veotec configuration for your application and ensure your systems stay protected year-round.

Don’t Miss the Next SVL Coffee Break

Be sure to catch the next SVL Coffee Break—our exclusive 50-minute webinar series featuring the HVAC industry’s most innovative voices. Whether your focus is on decarbonization, operating cost reduction, or long-term energy planning, SVL is your trusted partner in delivering sustainable HVAC solutions.

To stay informed about upcoming sessions, sign up for our marketing emails, opt-in now.

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                      Jim Lubratt

                      President & Chief Executive Officer

                      Jim Lubratt has been president of SVL since 2006. He first joined the company as a sales engineer in 1992 and was made a partner in 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University and first entered the HVAC industry as a marketing engineer for a heat pump manufacturer in Texas.

                      In addition to his role at SVL, Jim is vice president of AQC Industries, LLC, a manufacturer of specialized underground ductwork systems. He is also an investor and board member for Hydromx, Inc., a manufacturer of heat transfer nanofluids, and Crotega, Inc., creators of personal and building security solutions.

                      Jim and his wife, Tracy, met in college and married in 1993. They have three children, two of whom have graduated college in Texas, while their youngest is attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

                      Outside of work, Jim places a priority on his faith, family, friends, and fitness. He enjoys helping people-supporting charities, time with his wife and kids, road-biking with friends and efforts to stay physically fit.

                      A message from Jim on the achievements of SVL

                      SVL started in February 1967 by Charlie Schwab and Craig Vollhaber. Schwab-Vollhaber, Inc. (as it was named at the time) steadily grew and, in 1985, welcomed Paul Lubratt as another partner, becoming Schwab-Vollhaber-Lubratt, Inc. SVL’s founders had the determination to build the most talented, customer-focused HVAC representative in the Midwest. Our original drive and passion still shape the company and culture to this day. The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined efforts of every individual. From humble beginnings, SVL founders paved the way to industry success with hard work and determination. “Today, SVL is strongly organized with great people to lead our industry forward as we are challenged with fast-paced changes to reduce our environmental impact,” says Jim. Now, 55+ years later, SVL is under the leadership of two new principals who share the same vision and drive that has propelled SVL throughout the years. Built on a foundation of integrity, Jim Lubratt, and Charlie Vollhaber strive to ensure opportunities for personal growth, improved work environment, and shared life enrichment. The achievements of our organization are the results of the combined efforts of every individual.

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                      Charlie Vollhaber

                      Executive Vice President & Officer

                      Charlie Vollhaber is a third-generation employee at SVL, as a grandson of company co-founder Craig Vollhaber and son of former CEO Todd Vollhaber. Charlie holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Minnesota. He became an outside salesman for SVL in 2013, was made a partner in 2019, and then executive vice president and officer in 2022.

                      He grew up playing sports, including football, basketball, golf, and track, and enjoys the competitive nature of the HVAC industry. “I like that no two days are ever the same as there are always questions to answer and problems to solve,” he says. “Most of all, I enjoy working with great people and coordinating together on challenging projects to achieve positive results together.”

                      Outside of work, Charlie enjoys spending time with his wife, Lesley, and their three boys. He’s also fond of golfing, traveling, and attending concerts and sporting events. One of his favorite quotes is from the book of Philippians: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count other more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Because HVAC and construction is such a team effort, he says, “this mindset helps to create positive results in a vast majority of situations.”

                      A message from Charlie on the culture of SVL

                      “At SVL, we strive to cultivate a unique culture that revolves around finding and empowering exceptional individuals. We believe in equipping our team members with the right tools and resources to succeed.

                      As we’ve grown the business, we have deliberately maintained a small firm culture, fostering an environment where collaboration thrives. We encourage open dialogue and promote a sense of comfort among our employees, allowing anyone to ask questions and seek guidance from anyone else, regardless of their level within the organization.

                      We foster a workshop-like atmosphere where everyone’s contribution is valued. Presenting your work to another individual or a group of teammates provides a platform for collaboration, where ideas are shared, dissected, and improved collectively. We firmly believe in the power of mentoring and provide various avenues for both formal and informal guidance. Whether it’s through structured training programs or casual conversations, we encourage team members to discuss a wide range of topics, from work-related successes or issues to everyday personal life topics.

                      In summary, our culture is built on the foundation of attracting exceptional individuals, empowering them with the necessary tools, and fostering a collaborative environment where mentorship and growth thrive. We are committed to creating an atmosphere where every team member feels supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.”

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                      Al Gramse

                      Vice President of SVL Service Corporation

                      Al Gramse has been in the HVAC industry for over 30 years. He began as a service technician.  Then over his career worked in technical support, building automation, then service manager prior to his current role.

                      How did Al end up in the HVAC industry?  “After high school, I took a couple years to figure out what I wanted to do.   Where I was working at the time, a grumpy old coworker, who I didn’t get along with, walked up to me and said ‘What are you doing here?  Go back to school.’”  I said, “For what?”  He said “There’s a tech school down the street.  Go down there and pick something that interests you”. Then he walked away.  That weird interaction, with someone I didn’t get along with, sent me down a 30-year path in the HVAC industry.   Never underestimate the potential of a little encouragement.   Even if it is from a strange source.

                      Al has been with SVL for 15 years and is the head of our SVL Service division. “The people here are some of the best in the industry,” Al says. “A bunch of team-oriented, knowledgeable, go-getters.” His personal mantra is “figure it out,” “Do a little fact-finding on your own. Use your own brain before you use someone else’s. But know when to ask for help.” he prescribes. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish on your own if you dig in a little bit.”

                      Outside of work, Al has lots of outdoor hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and motorcycling, though his favorite pastime is simply hanging out with family.

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                      Jennifer Roach

                      Director of Marketing, Events & Administration

                      More than just a creative director, Jen brings 30 years of marketing and leadership magic to SVL. Her journey began in the trenches of graphic design, quickly evolving into crafting eye-catching campaigns for iconic brands like Target, Gabberts, Gander Mountain and Camping World. As a seasoned director and agency veteran, she honed her skills with recreational vehicle giant Parts Unlimited before leading creative teams at HOM Furniture and, ultimately, landing at SVL during a crucial growth phase.

                      Jen thrives on "servant-leadership," empowering her team and fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect. "It unlocks their potential, fuels creativity, and leads to work we're all proud of," she says. "I want my team to care, collaborate, and push boundaries together."

                      When not shaping impactful campaigns, Jen enjoys weekend adventures with her husband, Scott, and son, Crew. Their lives are a tapestry of shared passions, from bike rides and baking experiments to cheering on Simley High School wrestlers. And with her recently built forever home in Cottage Grove, her free time now includes a new, thrilling chapter: weekend renovation warrior!

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                      Mike Ruff

                      Vice President of Information Technology

                      Mike Ruff, the Vice President of Information Technology at SVL Inc., is a seasoned professional with an impressive 24-year tenure in the IT industry. His journey in the field is marked by extensive experience and expertise in various domains, including serving as a Cloud Architect focusing on Azure Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and both B2B and B2C solutions. Mike’s skills extend to being a Security Architect, where he has honed his knowledge in safeguarding digital assets, and he is also proficient in the Microsoft 365 stack, virtualization, routing, switching, and wireless technologies.

                      Beyond his professional roles, Mike is deeply passionate about technology in all its forms, which is evident in his career and personal hobbies. His love for technology is not just limited to his work but also spills over into his leisure activities. In the summertime, Mike enjoys the thrill of riding his motorcycle, embracing the freedom and adventure it brings. When winter arrives, he switches gears to snowboarding, seeking the excitement and challenge of the snowy slopes. These hobbies reflect Mike’s dynamic personality and continuous pursuit of technically engaging and physically exhilarating activities.

                      Mike Ruff's blend of professional expertise and personal passions make him a unique and valuable asset to SVL Inc., embodying a perfect synergy of technical acumen and a zest for life's adventurous aspects.

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