by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 22, 2026 | UPC
As director of Customer Service and a third-generation member of the Unico business, Brian Intagliata has spent years working closely with contractors across the country. In honor of Contractor Appreciation Day on June 22, we sat down with him to discuss the important role Unico Preferred Contractors play in delivering exceptional customer experiences and helping drive the company’s success.
The Critical Role of Unico Preferred Contractors
Why Contractors Shape the Customer Experience
Q: Why are Unico Preferred Contractors such an important part of delivering a positive customer experience?
Brian: These are the front-line representatives of not just our product, but our company as well. We count on them to introduce the end user to the product and give them a positive first impression of Unico.
What Makes a Successful Unico Contractor?
Q: What qualities do you see in the contractors who are most successful with Unico products?
Brian: They make the investment to do the trainings, whether it’s online, in the field with our reps / distributors or coming to the factory, they make sure that they know the product and can not only install the product but be able to talk comfortably and confidently to the customers.
Protecting the Quality and Reputation of the Unico Brand
Q: How do Unico Preferred Contractors help us uphold the quality and reputation of the Unico brand?
Brian: Our UPC’s are great companies first and foremost to begin with. They know the value of being responsive and not cutting corners to provide the end users with a great installation and make sure they’re getting what they pay for.
How Contractors Help Drive Continuous Improvement
Feedback from the Field Helps Us Improve
Q: What feedback do we hear most often from contractors about working with Unico?
Brian: The support that we provide. Contractors who have not worked with us before are always surprised by how quickly they can get a hold of someone to get answers and support – from Sales and Marketing to Customer Service.
How Contractor Feedback Shapes Our Products and Services
Q: How do our contractors help us identify opportunities to improve our products, support, or processes?
Brian: We take suggestions from our guys all the time. They’re the ones out there working in the attics, basements and crawlspaces to install our system, so they know firsthand what works for them and what doesn’t and when we have suggestions from the field, we take that very seriously.
Supporting Contractors Through Industry Challenges
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges contractors face, and how does Unico help support them?
Brian: There is no shortage of challenges that contractors face, from rising prices, hiring and keeping good technicians, to government regulation, so we just try to make using our product and getting support for our product as easy as possible. Making sure they can get answers quickly, to providing free services like design service and various trainings. We can’t fix every challenge these guys face, but we can make sure that when they use our product, we are not one of the challenges they have to face.
Why Contractors Are the Foundation of Unico’s Success
The Role Contractors Play in Unico’s Success
Q: How have our Unico Preferred Contractors contributed to the success of Unico over the years?
Brian: They are THE reason for our success. Without them, we would never be where we are at today.
Valuable Resources for Unico Preferred Contractors
Q: What resources or programs have been most valuable to our contractor partners?
Brian: I think over the years our training programs and local reps have been huge resources for them. The reps are out in the field as well, doing trainings, working with contractors on tough projects and being an extension of Unico and this goes a long way with them.
Strengthening Contractor Relationships for the Future
Q: What opportunities do you see for strengthening the relationship between Unico and our Unico Preferred Contractors in the future?
Brian: Just making sure we’re staying in communication and making sure they know they’re being heard with suggestions and maintaining the support they have come to know and expect over the years.
A Message for Contractor Appreciation Day
Q: On Contractor Appreciation Day, what message would you like to share with our Unico Preferred Contractors?
Brian: Thank you! As mentioned above, we would not be where we are without our contractor partners!
Thank You to Our Unico Preferred Contractors
As Contractor Appreciation Day reminds us, the success of the Unico brand has always been built on strong partnerships. From introducing customers to our products and delivering quality installations to providing valuable feedback that helps us improve, our Unico Preferred Contractors play a vital role in everything we do. We are grateful for their trust, expertise, and commitment to excellence, and we look forward to continuing to grow and succeed together for many years to come.
by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 4, 2026 | Uncategorized
As energy costs continue to rise, more homeowners are searching for efficient ways to heat and cool their homes. One of the fastest-growing trends in HVAC is the adoption of heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling from a single system while using less energy than many conventional options.
The benefits are clear. Heat pumps can improve efficiency, reduce utility bills, and provide year-round comfort. But choosing a heat pump is only part of the solution. Homeowners should also consider how conditioned air is delivered throughout the home.
Why HVAC Distribution Matters
Even the most advanced heat pump can struggle to provide consistent comfort if the air distribution system is not designed properly. Conventional ductwork can be difficult to install in older homes, historic properties, and renovation projects where space is limited.
Large ducts often require major construction, which can impact a home’s design, architectural details, and usable living space. They can also be inefficient. According to industry estimates, conventional duct systems can lose up to 40% of conditioned air through leaks, poor sealing, and heat transfer before it ever reaches the living spaces.
The Unico System was designed to minimize those losses. With its compact, tightly sealed duct system, air leakage is typically less than 5%, helping homeowners get more from their heating and cooling equipment while improving overall system efficiency and comfort.
Pairing Heat Pumps with The Unico System
The Unico System offers a flexible alternative for homes where conventional ductwork is not practical. Its small, flexible ducts can be routed through existing walls, ceilings, and other tight spaces with minimal disruption.
When paired with a heat pump, The Unico System helps homeowners enjoy the efficiency of modern HVAC technology while maintaining the character of their home. The system also delivers even temperatures throughout the living space and provides excellent humidity control, helping create a more comfortable indoor environment.
Ideal for Any Home Type
Every home has unique heating and cooling challenges. Older homes may have limited space for ductwork, historic homes often require preservation of architectural details, and custom homes frequently prioritize design flexibility. The Unico System adapts to these needs, providing an efficient comfort solution without the space requirements of conventional ductwork.
The Future of Home Comfort
As heat pump adoption continues to grow, homeowners are looking for solutions that combine efficiency, flexibility, and comfort. By pairing a heat pump with The Unico System, homeowners can achieve all three while avoiding the limitations of conventional ductwork.
If you’re exploring heat pump options for a renovation, historic home, or custom home project, the right air distribution system can make all the difference.
Find a Unico Preferred Contractor near you or contact our team to learn more about bringing The Unico System into your next project.
by Unico Marketing Team | May 20, 2026 | Historic Preservation
As Historic Preservation Month comes to a close, we sat down with Unico’s in-house preservation expert, Tom Taylor, to talk about the challenges of retrofitting HVAC systems into older homes and why The Unico System has become a trusted solution for preservation projects.
Tom has spent more than 30 years with Unico, serving in roles ranging from PR to historic home coordination. His deep appreciation for historic architecture, combined with decades of industry experience, gives him a unique perspective on preserving older spaces while bringing them modern comfort.
Here’s what he had to say.
Why Historic Preservation Matters
- From your perspective, why is historic preservation important today?
Tom: To truly understand our present and map our future, we MUST understand our past. Preserving places and structures – whether in a historical or design context – allows us to “time travel” – to literally step into the spaces and buildings of the past to experience them in the context of the now.
- Over the years, have you seen attitudes toward preserving historic buildings change? If so, how?
Tom: Every generation brings their own perspective to preservation, so it’s only natural that as people change, preservation does too. Thankfully, there are longstanding organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy and others who are dedicated to preserving historic and architecturally significant structures for generations yet to come.
The HVAC Challenge in Older Homes
- What makes HVAC installation especially challenging in historic homes and buildings?
Tom: Preservationists must walk a fine line, especially when it comes to public and shared spaces. They have the challenge of making spaces comfortable and useful by contemporary standards while still preserving historic structural and aesthetic design elements. HVAC makes that difficult because it must be retrofitted into spaces that were never designed for it – because it simply didn’t exist in that space’s original timeline.
- How does The Unico System help solve problems that traditional HVAC systems often create in preservation projects?
Tom: Simply put, it fits where traditional HVAC systems can’t, avoiding the structural disruption “shoehorning” traditional systems into a building requires. Additionally, it’s more aesthetically pleasing than bulky dirty rectangular diffusers or room-by-room “wall wart” systems. As an added benefit, The Unico System also provides superior comfort and energy efficiency.
- Are there specific architectural styles or historic properties where The Unico System works particularly well?
Tom: The fact that it can fit into the smallest of spaces means that there is no particular architectural style that cannot benefit from The Unico System. From Colonial and Federalist to Victorian and Mid Century Modern – retrofitting Unico will not disrupt the original design and aesthetic elements of your home.
Why Preservationists Choose Unico
- Can you share a memorable historic preservation project you’ve worked on or heard about involving The Unico System?
Tom: Three structures in Washington, DC involving President Lincoln: his cottage, the retreat where he took respite during the Civil War; Ford’s Theater – the site of his assassination; and the Peterson Home, across from the theater where Lincoln died. We’re very proud that visitors who come to soak up the history of these iconic places can do so in absolute comfort.
- What are some common mistakes contractors or homeowners make when retrofitting HVAC into older buildings?
Tom: “Shoehorning” a system in – e.g. dropping ceilings, building chases, soffits, or bulkheads to conceal ductwork. None of this is necessary with The Unico System.
- How do preservationists typically react when they learn about The Unico System?
Tom: They love it! Because of the challenges presented by conventional or stop-gap HVAC solutions, preservationists typically cringe when it comes to these mechanical add-ons. But once they learn of The Unico System, they understand there’s a way to let comfort fit in.
- In your opinion, what features of The Unico System are most valuable for maintaining the integrity of historic interiors?
Tom: The system’s smaller indoor unit, duct size and unobtrusive diffusers that can blend into any decor.
Unico’s Role in Historic Preservation
- Looking back on your years with Unico, what role do you think the company has played in the historic preservation space?
Tom: We’re very proud of the fact that we are the only HVAC system recommended by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Is there anything else you think people should understand about preserving older buildings and integrating modern systems into them?
Tom: Only that there IS a way to preserve historic structures while providing 21st century comfort. The Unico System is that way.
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, architect, engineer, or builder working on historic property, The Unico System makes it possible to preserve architectural integrity without sacrificing comfort.
Not sure how a high-efficiency HVAC system could fit into your project? Unico offers a free design service to help you visualize how the system can work within your space.
The Unico System | Comfort Fit For Your Projects
by Unico Marketing Team | May 19, 2026 | News, Partnerships, Press Releases
Unico Inc. and CertainTeed collaborate to bring sustainable, precision-manufactured homes to the City
St. Louis, MO (May 12, 2026) — St. Louis will soon have the first ONE PRECISION ASSEMBLIES™ (OPA) homes west of the Mississippi River. Unico Inc., an innovative HVAC manufacturer based in St. Louis, is collaborating with building-material expert CertainTeed to construct two OPA homes this month in North City.
OPA, developed by CertainTeed, is an innovative panelized construction system using factory-built floor, wall, and roof assemblies to build high-performance homes. The offsite construction significantly accelerates timelines while improving build quality, consistency, and energy performance. What’s more, these OPA homes have been engineered in collaboration with Unico — a leader in high-efficiency HVAC systems — to combine the high-performance benefits of both systems into affordable, low-energy usage homes for local families.
As the United States faces a severe housing shortage of approximately 4.7 million units, offsite construction methods are gaining traction. This is vital to a market like St. Louis, where significant housing challenges persist around supply at attainable price points. Homes cost roughly 5.5 times the median household income, putting homeownership out of reach for many St. Louisans. The partnership between building-envelope innovator CertainTeed and HVAC expert Unico demonstrates how OPA can provide a solution, with high-quality, attainable housing.
“This St. Louis project reflects a shift from ‘build fast and cheap’ to ‘build smarter, perform better, and reduce long-term costs,’” explained Scott Intagliata, owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Unico, Inc. “With this collaboration, CertainTeed and Unico are demonstrating how a home-building partnership can deliver integrated systems that boost performance, increase efficiency, and improve long‑term affordability.”
The two OPA homes will be constructed on North Euclid Avenue in the Mark Twain neighborhood. OPA’s precision manufacturing makes it possible to build efficiently on tight urban lots, with fewer deliveries, less waste, shorter construction periods, and less disruption for neighbors and the surrounding community.
“St. Louis presents a unique opportunity to address housing supply through vacant-lot development,” said Dennis Michaud, Managing Director at CertainTeed. “This collaboration with Unico will produce real‑world results in the very near future: faster construction, more efficient use of land, and homes that are both attainable and high‑performing.”
With this St. Louis OPA pilot program, CertainTeed and Unico offer a replicable model for other markets — one that strengthens housing availability, accelerates build speed, and supports long‑term affordability across communities. This is particularly important as the “new construction premium” (how much more people pay for a new home than one that’s already been lived in) recently skyrocketed to 202.7 percent in St. Louis’ dense urban areas.
Other benefits of the OPA system include:
Faster Timelines, Minimized Risk: According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, modular and panelized construction methods can deliver time savings of 30-50% compared to traditional construction approaches. Plus, by reducing job site complexity, OPA helps builders and developers mitigate cost overruns, labor shortages, and weather delays.
Superior Craftsmanship & Quality: Each floor, wall, and roof panel is precision-manufactured to meet local building codes and builder specifications, eliminating guesswork and variability.
Engineering for High Performance: OPA homes are engineered for superior energy efficiency and can be up to 50% more efficient than traditional construction. Airtight and moisture-managed assemblies prevent air leaks and water intrusion, improving structural integrity and indoor comfort.
Sustainability: Precision manufacturing minimizes material waste, while fewer deliveries to the jobsite help reduce transportation-related emissions, further boosting the home’s overall sustainability profile.
To access visual assets for the OPA homes, including renderings, please click here. Interior finishing will continue through early summer, with public open houses planned for mid-July. To arrange an interview with a Unico or CertainTeed spokesperson or to schedule a site visit, please contact Brooke Foster at [email protected].
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¹United States Chamber of Commerce, "The State of Housing in America," updated March 3, 2026
²CapRateCity, "Cost of Living & Affordability: St. Louis, MO," updated 2026
³ Realtor.com, "New-Construction Insights: Urban New Builds Are Scarce and Expensive," May 2026
About Unico Inc.
Unico, Inc. is the leader in Small-Duct High Velocity (SDHV) heating and cooling systems and other high-end HVAC systems. The company manufactures all of its products in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 125,000 square feet of modern manufacturing space. The company is well known for extensive use in older, architecturally unique homes and buildings as well as elite, high-end custom homes. The company is family owned and operated and is available throughout the United States and Canada, and in over 28 countries around the world.
About CertainTeed
With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home.
A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. www.certainteed.com
About Saint-Gobain
Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services adapted to the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions provide sustainability, performance and well-being for its customers. The Group is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.
- €46.5 billion in sales in 2025
- 162,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
- Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050
by Unico Marketing Team | May 13, 2026 | Uncategorized
Historic preservation is often associated with restoring architecture, maintaining original materials, and preserving the character of older buildings. But one of the greatest threats to historic properties is not always visible.
Humidity can quietly damage historic documents, furnishings, finishes, and artifacts long before structural issues become apparent.
That was the challenge facing the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West.
The Challenge at the Truman Little White House
Built in 1890, the Truman Little White House remains one of the most historically significant properties in Florida. Before installing The Unico System, the home struggled with excessive humidity that was beginning to impact historic documents and artifacts connected to President Truman’s legacy.
Like many historic buildings, the property was never designed to accommodate modern HVAC systems. Installing conventional ductwork would have required invasive structural modifications that could compromise the building’s historic integrity.
The challenge was clear: how do you improve indoor comfort and humidity control without disrupting the architecture that makes the building historically important?
Why Humidity Control Matters in Historic Preservation
In historic properties, humidity is more than a comfort issue. It is a preservation issue.
Poor humidity control can damage historic documents and photographs, warp wood furnishings and finishes, deteriorate plaster and architectural materials, and contribute to mold growth and long-term structural issues.
For museums, historic homes, and preservation projects, maintaining stable indoor conditions is essential to protecting both the building and the artifacts inside it.
The Unico System Solution
To solve the problem, the Truman Little White House installed The Unico System, a small-duct, high-velocity HVAC solution designed specifically for retrofit applications and historic homes.
Because of its compact and flexible design, The Unico System was able to minimize disruption to the historic structure, conceal system components within existing spaces, deliver enhanced humidity control, and preserve the architectural integrity of the home.
Unlike conventional HVAC systems that require large ductwork and major structural changes, The Unico System integrates into older buildings with minimal visual impact.
The result was improved indoor comfort and humidity control while helping protect the historic documents and artifacts housed within the property.
HVAC Plays a Critical Role in Preservation
Historic preservation is not just about protecting buildings from visible deterioration. It is also about creating stable indoor environments that help preserve the history inside them.
That is why HVAC system design matters in historic renovation projects.
The right system can help protect sensitive materials and collections, improve comfort for occupants and visitors, preserve architectural details, and reduce the need for invasive structural changes.
For historic buildings where preservation and performance must work together, retrofit-friendly solutions like The Unico System provide a practical path forward.
Learn More
Read the full Truman Little White House case study to see how The Unico System helped protect one of America’s historic properties while preserving its architectural integrity.
https://unicosystem.com/case-study/truman-white-house/
