Our HVAC Fiasco, and a Big Thanks to Our SensePlay Studio Community

December came in with freezing weather.

As first-time small business owners, we were still learning how to run the studio and keep it a safe space for kids and their families. But that winter brought a challenge we didn’t expect.

We started noticing the heat wasn’t working right. The studio felt cold, and when the heater would turn on, the lights would flicker. Not a good sign. At first, we thought it was just the extreme cold; but it kept getting worse. 

Some days, we had to cancel class last minute because the heater wouldn’t work at all. We’d show up hoping it would be okay, but it wasn’t safe or comfortable for families. Safety had to come first. Behind the scenes, we were also dealing with electric bills that were more than 5x higher than normal—even when we only ran the system for a few hours a day. It was stressful and confusing. You may have already seen the video of my husband shoveling around the compressor outside, trying to help however we could. We later learned the system hadn’t been working properly for a while.

Our landlord consulted several HVAC companies, each providing a different diagnosis for the system's failure. It took longer than expected to resolve the conflicting opinions and eventually, a decision was made to replace the whole HVAC unit. 

Throughout this process, we did our best to minimize the impact on our classes. However, there were a few days where the situation was unavoidable. We would like to use this post to thank you for your patience, your understanding and your flexibility when we had to change plans. These moments have taught us a lot about running a small business— Business isn't just about managing the expected, but being ready for the unexpected, and keep going even when things are hard. 

And finally—hallelujah—the HVAC system has been fully replaced today after three months of inconsistent heat. 

Our goal has always been to create a space where families feel comfortable and cared for, and we’re committed to continuing to improve that experience.

Thank you for sticking with us through it all. Your support means everything.

With gratitude,
The SensePlay Studio Team