New York businesses and institutions have the chance to get a piece of $15 million in rebates that is being made available to those that install ground source heat pumps. The initiative is being launched by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030. The funding is part of the states Renewable Heating and Cooling Policy Framework, which aims to promote clean energy. Funding is provided by the Clean Energy Fund, a 10-year, $5.3 billion goal to achieve a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for New Yorkers.

Rebates will be available to qualified installers of such heat pump systems for two years, or until all funds have been disbursed.

Ground source heat pump systems are renewable heating and cooling technologies that provide environmental benefits and energy cost savings. This type of technology replaces oil-and gas-fired heating and cooling sources, and therefore reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

These heating and cooling systems have been put in place in the Montgomery County, MD, school system and St. Michaels College in Vermont installed ground source heat pump systems back in 2014 with the intention of using 77% less energy.

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NY Companies Installing Ground Source Heat Pumps Could Get a ... - Energy Manager Today

"We are delighted to be recognized as a Nest Pro Elite partner across our network of more than 70 service centers. As a national leader in the residential HVAC and plumbing industry, ARS service centers can now leverage this exciting technology enabling homes to be smarter and more energy-efficient," says Kevin Perri, President of A.J. Perri. "The benefits that a smart and connected home offers are very compelling. This partnership will allow us to offer even more value to our customers with Nest's cutting-edge, yet approachable technology."

"Nest wants to make it easy for those who'd prefer to take advantage of the benefits of a pro installation," says Gene LaNois, Head of Professional Channel, Nest. "A.J. Perri shares our passion for enabling the thoughtful home, and we're excited that they will be incorporating the Nest Thermostat into their installation offerings."

The Nest Thermostat learns the temperatures a homeowner prefers and then programs itself. Independent studies have shown that the Nest Thermostat saves homeowners on average 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling costs. Nest's algorithms allow customers to monitor their energy history daily, in addition to receiving an easy-to-understand monthly report. The Nest Thermostat will also alert homeowners in the event it detects certain problems with the home's HVAC system.

The Nest Thermostat and other Nest products are now available at all ARS Network branches that provide HVAC services and installations.

ABOUT AJ PERRI: Since 1971 A.J. Perri has been serving New Jersey homeowners with years of experience and a national reputation for superior technical skills in heating, air conditioning, plumbing and indoor air quality systems. They service those in Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union counties.

965 Ridge Lake Blvd., Ste. 201 Memphis, TN 38120 Phone: (901) 271-9700 ARS.com Press Contacts: Vimala Ingram: vingram@ars.com Stephanie Beliles: sbeliles@ars.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aj-perri-announces-partnership-with-nest-300466427.html

SOURCE A.J. Perri

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A.J. Perri Announces Partnership With Nest - PR Newswire (press release)

Forbes

What The Heck Is A 'Green Roof?' Forbes Just as humans sweat to stay cool, green roofs use a process called 'evapotranspiration' to keep their buildings cooler, by using heat from the air to evaporate the water in the rooftop plants, fibers and mesh. In the winter, buildings also stay warmer ...

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What The Heck Is A 'Green Roof?' - Forbes

At the end of a yearlong process, Robert Collins walked through his home in southwest Las Vegas in mid-May, admiring what workers had just installed.

Its reassuring, Collins said about his new energy-efficient Freon compressor, improved ventilation system and light-emitting diode light bulbs. To what extent its going to save money I dont know, but anything helps.

The new fixtures came from HELP of Southern Nevadas weatherization program, which helps low-income households such as Collins become energy efficient for free. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply online, and the program has assisted about 12,000 homes in its 22 years, said Jim Hutchison, the programs outreach coordinator.

Hutchison said the program contracts workers to install products such as water heaters, refrigerators, screens, insulation and compressors, which cool and heat the Freon that powers air conditioners. A team will go into a home or apartment to make sure it has safe, efficient energy systems.

Instead of paying for expensive replacements or daunting heating and cooling costs, the family can use the money for other necessities, he said.

The program, which is run through the Nevada Housing Division, doesnt advertise on TV so many people hear about it only through word of mouth, said Mark Hooper, a field supervisor.

We like to take our money and put it into the houses, he said.

Hutchison said funding comes from sources such as the U.S. Energy Department, Nevada Housing trust funds and energy assistance and conservation funds.

Weatherizing one house can cost up to $14,000, depending on what is installed, Hooper said.

For Collins, the new installations come one year after he noticed a HELP team working in his neighborhood, Jaycees Senior Community, in the southwest valley.

The criteria for weatherization is that the combined households annual gross income is 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines or less, Hutchison said. That means a household with two adults earning an income would have to make less than $32,040 a year.

Collins and his wife fit the criteria, so they applied to become one of the 40 to 60 percent of homes weatherized in Jaycees Senior Community. It took about a year for Collins installation, but people in emergency situations such as those without air conditioning in summer, are reached as soon as possible, Hutchison said.

Collins said now he will have less air escaping and the temperature will be better regulated.

My wife no longer is going to be hounded by the cold air that comes from the top (vents), he said.

For Hutchison, seeing another home helped by the weatherization program reminds him why he works with the organization.

Helping people thats all I care about, he said.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.

How to Access the Weatherization Program

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Program helps low-income Southern Nevadans become energy efficient for free - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The 1,750,000-square-foot stadium's pumps move water in many applications. Image courtesy of Xylem

Although fans might not see them, pumps move water throughoutthe largest public works project in Minnesota history, U.S. Bank Stadium. It is not just a multipurpose stadium in Minneapolis it is a work of art. Built on the site of the former Metrodome, it is nearly twice the size of the National Football Leagues (NFL) Minnesota Vikings old home, and it is praised for its unique architecture and commitment to sustainability.

The stadium opened ahead of schedule in July 2016, after a construction period of more than two years. More than 8,000 workers committed nearly 4 million hours to design and build the 1,750,000-square-foot stadium. The pumps moving water around the stadium and arean essential part of this stadium.

Among other factors, the extreme climate of Minnesota influenced the stadiums design. Its roof resembles an A-framed ship so it can shed snow and ice efficiently, preventing buildup on the roof. In the past, snow accumulation caused problems at the Metrodome, and the roof collapsed five times.

A booster package of pumps move water that provides 400 gallons of hot water per minute to hose down the snow-filled roof, sending melted snow down concrete gutters along the side of the stadium. The 6-foot-wide and 10-foot-deep gutters, which contain plastic tubes with glycol, carry the melted snow through the storm-water control system and down to the ground where it drains into the city sewer. Installed seven stories high on the top floor, this booster package is not part of the stadiums domestic hot water system, which is rare. Typically, snow-melt systems are installed at the ground level, but this one is the first of its kind.

In addition to the booster package used for snow removal, another booster package supplies 2,000 gallons of water per minute for 979 bathroom stalls and all other water needs. Installed in the basement, the booster package contains four end-suction pumps: three large pumps and one small pump.

While only one pump sends water throughout the building at 1,200 gallons per minute, all four were designed to work with the 75-horsepower variable frequency drives (VFDs) installed in the water system to ensure optimal efficiency. A VFD-based booster pump system maintains more precise control across a wider range of flow rates while reducing energy consumption and pump wear.

Water usage is drastically different during the week versus on game days making pump specification challenging. The stadium was originally designed with three large end-suction pumps, but to keep operational costs down, a small jockey pump was specified to power the water system when the stadium is not full of cheering fans, which is 95 percent of the time. On event days, three large pumps alternate pumping water throughout the building. The redesign including the small jockey pump improved efficiency and saves an average of $8,000 to $10,000 annually on energy.

To make sure the water system was fully operational before the stadium opened, hundreds of workers and volunteers participated in a super flush test. During the test, all the participants simultaneously flushed all the toilets and urinals and turned on all the sinks in the stadium for about 30 minutes. The pumps successfully handled the test.

With a capacity of up to 70,000, the stadium offers more than 18 different styles of seating, including luxury seating that is closer to the field than any other stadium in the NFL. The first row of seats is just 41 feet away from the sideline, and the field seats get fans even closer to the action at 25 feet.

The ultra-compact pumps are the primary feature of the stadiums heating, cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which supplies 7,000 tons of heating and cooling. These pumps were selected because of their compact footprint, 40 percent smaller than traditional split-case and vertical inline pumps.

The part of the HVAC system in which pumps move waterwas prefabricated on a skid before it was installed. This prefabrication enabled the skid to be built in a controlled environment while contractors worked on other parts of the building to meet the projects scheduling demands. The size of the pumps enabled the skid to be smaller, reducing installation time. The pumps were chosen because of their ease of installation and maintenance. They fit seamlessly into the piping and will withstand heating and cooling demands of the stadium.

U.S. Bank Stadium will host the 2018 Super Bowl; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Final Four in 2019; and an array of events year-round. The pumps will work efficiently behind the scenes to enhance environmental sustainability and the fan experience.

Mark Handzel is vice president, product regulatory affairs, and director, HVAC commercial buildings, at Bell & Gossett, a Xylem brand. He is a member of the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committees Commercial and Industrial Pumps Working Group. He may be reached at support@xylemsales.com.

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Seamless stadium design - Water Technology Online

May 30, 2017 - (Newswire)

The Agua Cool is a specially designed unit that utilizes an exchange system between one water coil placed inside of a freezer and a second coil in the room to be cooled. This product is designed to provide an efficient means of cooling or heating areas with up to a 95% reduction in energy consumption. Unique in design, this technology is intended for multi-unit buildings, allowing over 100 units to be fed by a single Agua Cool unit. Additionally, it can be added to existing A/C units and implemented in walk-in coolers in restaurants and other establishments. The basic components of the Agua Cool are: circulation pump, circuit board, by-pass valve, blower assembly, and thermostat. Importantly, the installation of the exchange coil would be vital to the overall design of the unit and enables the device to rapidly bring a room temperature from sweltering to under 70 degrees quickly, efficiently and with low energy output. The Agua Cool can be incorporated into the design of P-Tac units, Splits and Package HVAC units, City Multi and central air conditioning units. This energy efficient concept can also be incorporated into the design of walk-in refrigeration and freezer cooler systems and make the Agua Cool ideal for use in restaurants and similar food service establishments. The Agua Cool can also be added to all existing units, saving consumers money without high replacement costs. The Agua Cool eliminates the use of numerous compressors and condensing units, e.g., one building with fifty- one hundred units can be cooled, heated, and refrigerated with a single compressor using the Agua Cool instead of a conventional compressor unit. Televised test marketing has recently been completed indicating strong consumer interest in the Agua Cool. The Patent Pending Agua Cool was invented by Erwin Sampson and Gustavo Gonzalez of Kearny, NJ who said, This is an enhanced design with fewer electrical and mechanical parts than a conventional air conditioning unit and makes it easier to maintain, service and install. Just think of the energy savings! A single Agua Cool unit can cover all applications in a restaurant and all heating coil units in a hotel or building. It works. EDITOR'S NOTE: Development of this product is being handled by Invents Company. For more information about licensing or sale, contact the Licensing Department at Invents Company Operations Center, P.O. Box 1682, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 212-620-2629 http://www.invents.com

Contact: Jeanne Nelson Media Dept: 7650 (646) 503-4817 Jeanne@invents.com

Original Source: https://www.newswire.com/news/agua-cool-provides-heating-and-cooling-energy-efficiency-19583545

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Agua Cool: Provides Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency - WireUpdate

Ductless heat pumps have taken the U.S. by storm with sales increasing by double digits over the last few years. That momentum is expected to continue; however, not every homeowner wants to look at wall-mounted units in their living spaces.

Enter the ducted mini-split heat pump, which offers a more aesthetically pleasing option for homeowners who are hesitant about the look of wall-mounted, ceiling-recessed, or other ductless options, according to Michelle Robb, director of residential marketing, Mitsubishi Electric US Inc. Cooling & Heating Division.

And for the majority of homes in the U.S. that already have ductwork in place, the ducted mini split offers a viable alternative to central HVAC systems, as well.

Having a ducted mini-split option means homeowners interested in ducted systems can have the setup and aesthetic they want while still benefiting from the efficiency, quiet operation, and zoning capabilities that mini splits offer, said Robb.

In the U.S., most homeowners have central heating and cooling systems that utilize ductwork, and when it comes time to replace that equipment, they usually opt for another central system. However, according to manufacturers, ducted mini splits should be considered as they can increase energy efficiency while taking advantage of a homes infrastructure. And, depending on the design, ducted mini-split systems can potentially reduce concerns about duct leakage and/or IAQ problems that can occur with forced-air systems.

Traditional ducts collect dust and dirt over time, including pollen, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds, and these materials are recirculated throughout the home over time, said Victor Flynn, product manager, Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning North America. In addition, all traditional ducts leak conditioned air to some extent, which reduces energy efficiency and increases utility costs. With ducted mini-split systems, evaporators are generally located close to the distribution point, which leads to a reduced amount of air leakage and dirt build-up in ductwork related to mini-split systems.

In addition to using existing ductwork, ducted mini-split systems allow users to take advantage of high-efficiency inverter technology, said Terry Frisenda, national accounts manager, air conditioning technologies, LG Electronics USA Inc.

In some cases, our ducted units operate as high as 18.5 SEER, Frisenda said. These systems are also quiet, perform well in cold climates, and allow users to adjust each zone independently. With single-phase heat recovery, consumers even have simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones.

The amount of energy savings a homeowner may see with a ducted mini-split system can be significant on the order of 30-40 percent, said Robb.

Traditional central heat pump systems are also controlled by less sophisticated outdoor units, which shut off when target temperatures are met and then turn back on when the temperature has slipped far enough from the target, she said. Our ducted and ductless mini splits are powered by an inverter-driven compressor, which modulates to satisfy space temperature requirements and is significantly quieter in the process.

Traditional ducted systems use fan motors that draw excessive amperage to overcome the external static pressure of ductwork. Higher amperage draw results in higher energy usage, said Matthew Lacey, senior product manager of single and multi-zone systems, Daikin North America. Central systems that utilize long ductwork runs and flex ducts may have increased external static pressure and lower operation efficiency. While ducted single- and multi-zone systems experience similar challenges, the efficiencies remain higher as the indoor fan coil unit is located closer to the source and requires less ductwork.

Contractors can offer homeowners a lot of bang for their buck with ducted mini splits, because a single outdoor unit can connect to up to eight indoor units, and each indoor unit can service one or multiple rooms, explained Robb.

Contractors determine how many units to use by running load calculations. Mitsubishi Electric makes this easy by providing programs like the Residential System Builder, an app built for use on tablets that allows HVAC contractors to walk into customers homes and provide an accurate estimate of what size and type of system should be used for each home, she said.

A ducted single- or multi-zone system works similarly to a central heat pump system, except that it is applied as a zone solution with shorter duct runs, noted Lacey. For example, if a two-story home includes a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs, a load calculation for a traditional system may recommend a 4-ton system with the controlling thermostat in the game room. This traditional system would have one indoor fan coil or furnace with an evaporator coil and a considerable amount of ductwork from the single unit to each of the four rooms.

With a ducted single- or multi-zone system, it may be possible to reduce the size of the system to a 3-ton multi-zone system with one condensing unit outside connected via copper tubing to four individual fan coils that serve each of the four rooms, said Lacey.

Each room would have an independent thermostat control for heating and cooling as opposed to a traditional system that may be limited to heating or cooling all four rooms at once.

Contractors will like the flexibility of ducted mini-split systems, said Victor Perez, national director of sales, Samsung.

Contractors have the option of utilizing one indoor unit per room or utilizing one indoor unit for several rooms its dependent upon load, fan static pressure, sound generation, amount of ductwork, plenum height, and economics. In addition, the indoor unit can be installed either horizontally or vertically, depending on the application. Either way, the ductwork is attached to the indoor fan coil and then extended into the various locations, as needed.

Essentially, a ducted mini-split system is laid out very similarly to a unitary system complete with an air handler, said Frisenda; however, unlike a conventional system, the indoor air handler does not require its own power source as it draws power from the outdoor unit.

One unit can serve multiple rooms and, in some cases, that is preferred. By combining multiple rooms with a ducted mini-split unit, consumers can maximize efficiencies and reduce installation costs to build larger comfort zones, as desired. To ensure proper installation, contractors need to run a Manual J room-by-room load calculation, which will determine the number of indoor units required to appropriately condition the space.

Ducted mini-split systems can be installed in ceilings, attics, closets, or under the floor, but, as with any heating or cooling system, proper load sizing and installation is key.

Ducted mini-split systems are designed to be located close to air distribution points and are sometimes fitted with a multi-port flange that allows for two or more distribution points, but it should be noted, due to relatively low static pressure ratings, duct length should be minimized, said Flynn.

As with any system, ducted mini splits do have their limitations. In extreme climates, for example, supplemental heat may be required, but many manufacturers note that their ducted mini-split systems can offer substantial heating capacity down to minus 13F. To address IAQ concerns, many ducted mini splits offer advanced filtration options and dehumidification control; however, installing an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is usually recommended.

Given the flexibility, energy efficiency, and comfort that ducted mini-split systems can offer homeowners, it is no wonder manufacturers are optimistic about their future.

The acceptance of ducted mini splits continues to grow, said Perez. Projections show that demand for ducted mini splits will soon be equal in size with ductless mini splits.

Publication date: 5/29/2017

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Ducted Mini Splits Offer Hidden Benefits - ACHR NEWS

Central air-source heat pumps have become very popular in recent years as end users yearn to move away from fossil fuels and as technology has improved to a point where heat pumps can be used in a broader range of climates.

Manufacturers are responding to the growing demand by offering cutting-edge heat pumps that offer advanced controls, improved energy usage, and higher heating efficiencies. And, with consumers demanding even greater energy savings and comfort control, they are already hard at work on the next generation of heat pumps.

Todays heat pumps offer a wide range of advanced features that satisfy consumers demands for supreme comfort and energy savings as well as contractors desires for easier installation and service.

Rheems cutting-edge technology is displayed in its 20-SEER variable-speed heat pump, which can be paired with its EcoNet control system.

The RP20 model delivers the ultimate in precise comfort control, energy savings, and enhanced IAQ to the homeowner, said Farooq Mohammad, director, product management, air conditioning division, Rheem Mfg. Co. For contractors, EcoNet auto configures the system setting as soon as it is connected. Adjustments are made by simply touching a screen. From a serviceability standpoint, EcoNet provides in-depth diagnostics on almost every aspect of the system to take out the guesswork and streamline the service call.

Advanced technology allows Tranes TruComfort XV20i and American Standards AccuComfort Platinum 20 heat pumps to deliver cooling efficiency up to 20 SEER and heating efficiency up to 10 HSPF.

These systems vary the output capacity in as small as 0.1 percent increments, creating a precise and wide operating range. They are also very quiet, said Jeff Tyminski, director of product management, heat pumps and air handlers, Trane and American Standard. The fully communicating system allows for a very easy installation process for contractors, and with Nexia Dealer Diagnostics, these units can be monitored remotely by dealers.

Carriers Infinity heat pump line features remote access through a mobile application, which provides end users with energy-tracking capabilities, scheduling, and service alerts.

For contractors, when an Infinity control is paired with an indoor or outdoor unit, the system is able to self-configure, which makes the install process go smoothly, said Todd Nolte, cooling product manager, Carrier Corp. The control automatically commissions the system on behalf of contractors and offers advanced diagnostics via the wall control or on the web. This accessibility saves contractors time and allows them to provide more efficient customer service.

Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. recently released its first air-source heat pump the Inverter Ducted Split System (IDS) which delivers a cooling efficiency of 18 SEER and heating efficiency of 9.5 HSPF.

This is a smart, cost-effective, inverter drive heat pump that requires no special thermostats or controls, said Lyndal Moore, North America national sales manager, wholesale AC products, Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. Utilizing the indoor air handler as a sensor, the condensing sections logic is able to modulate the system to both satisfy heating and cooling demands and dehumidify the structure. The IDS evaporator coil, when paired with a furnace or a Bosch hydronic air handler along with an IDS outdoor condensing section, will deliver some of the best comfort levels and efficiency on the market today. And thanks to an insulated compressor compartment and silent blade technology, the outdoor condensing unit reduces sound levels as low as 56 decibels.

Featuring up to 23.5 SEER and 10.2 HSPF, the Lennox XP25 heat pump offers Precise Comfort technology, which maintains conditions within 0.5F of set temperature for optimal comfort.

The system continually makes small adjustments in cooling and heating output to hold the temperature exactly where the homeowner wants it all year-round, said Julie Baker, senior product marketing manager of cooling products, Lennox Intl. Inc. When combined with the iComfort S30 smart thermostat, advanced diagnostics enable dealers the ability to pre-stock their trucks with items needed for potential repair prior to arriving at the home, thus reducing callbacks.

While todays heat pumps feature many advanced technologies to boost comfort and save energy, manufacturers are already working on next-generation units. These units will embrace the Internet of Things (IoT), which allows devices to sense, communicate, interact, and collaborate with each other.

Efficiency is really the name of the game when it comes to developing new heat pump technology, and that comes with furthering connectivity, said Moore. Regardless of industry, everything is moving into the IoT realm, including heat pumps. The more data that can be sourced about a specific product, the easier it is to increase efficiency, customize comfort levels, and even remedy repair situations in a timelier fashion.

That is why Carrier is making a significant investment in improving the functionality of heat pumps as it relates to IoT-enabled smart controls, including offering integration with third-party smart home systems, like Amazon Echo and Apple HomeKit.

We are also committed to delivering smarter controls to improve the connection between contractors and their customers as is available in our expanded lineup of Cr thermostats as well as enhanced energy consumption reporting, said Nolte. And, finally, we will be introducing more efficient fans and motors that will benefit homeowners by reducing both the size of the system and resulting noise. We are still five to 10 years from seeing this technology in the field.

Lennox plans to continue investing in controls technologies that ensure dealers can provide the best possible service and functionality to their customers.

We also expect further increases in SEER and EER to help Southern customers save during the long, hot summers and increases to HSPF and low-ambient heating capacity to make heat pumps more economically feasible in Northern climates, said Trent Davis, senior product manager, heat pumps and air handlers, Lennox Intl. Inc. Some of these enabling technologies are available today, and others may be three to five years down the road before theyre commercialized.

With increasing minimum efficiency requirements and new refrigerants poised to enter the market, Rheem is already considering what comes next for heat pumps. The next minimum efficiency standard is set to be effective in January 2023, and as the baseline continues to increase, we expect to see higher-efficiency products with more efficient compressors, motors, and heat exchangers being introduced, said Mohammad. When the refrigerant change happens, homeowners will enjoy higher-efficiency and more environmentally friendly products while contractors will obviously have to go through a transition period handling multiple refrigerants and following the appropriate handling procedures.

Variable-speed technologies will continue to play a large part in next-generation heat pumps, as well, said Tyminski, only they will likely be less expensive and serve a larger portion of the marketplace.

Continued advancement in connected systems and predictive diagnostics will also enable systems that self-identify and notify dealers of potential system problems, he said. In addition, advances around utility demand response and next-generation refrigerants are expected in the coming years.

While all these advances are likely to add some cost to the heat pumps of tomorrow, customers are likely to see the benefits of opting for a better system.

There will always be some customers looking for the bare-bones solution and others willing to pay more for a higher quality product, said Moore. Contractors have a responsibility to outline the cost-benefit analysis of investing in a heat pump that may produce better results and have a greater lifetime, thus costing less over time. Sometimes, the products priced at a premium are worth it for a reason, and contractors and consumers are seeing that.

Publication date: 5/29/2017

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Heat Pumps for Today and Tomorrow - ACHR NEWS

SAN JOSE Despite promises of relief from frigid and stifling temperatures in some Alum Rock classrooms, students at three schools will spend another year wilting during heat waves and shivering during cold spells.

Why cant we just take care of the AC and heat instead of money going to those new projects? asked Jocelyn Merz, head of the teachers union.

In 2012, Alum Rock voters passed a $125 million bond measure to address facilities needsthatspecifically mentionedreplacing heating, ventilation and electrical systems. Last year they approved another measure, generating $140 million.

Payments to its construction projects manager have triggered two investigations of Alum Rock. A state agency that reviews troubled districts is expected to deliver its report soon. And emails released to this news organization after a Public Records Act request confirm that the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office also is looking into the district.

The lack of cooling and heatmay seem trivial, especiallyin the temperate Bay Area. But it affects teaching and learning, particularly in classrooms facing the beating afternoon sun.

Just how uncomfortable is it?

Its superhot, third-grader Victor Romero, 9, said last week Its like a barbecue and were the meat on it.

Victor and his pals at Arbuckle, which has no air-conditioning, said they sometimes wet paper towels to put on their foreheads to cool off.

In the winter, parents send their children to school bundledin layers because of the sporadically functioning heater. Some days, kids never take off their mittens.

I just take off the right hand one to write, Victor said, explaining how he does schoolwork wearing gloves.

Its very frustrating when you go in to teach and your hands are ice cold and you wear your coat all day long, said Darlene Coachman, an Arbuckle teacher. There shouldnt be days like that.

Parents, too, have complained to the school and district.

Weve said that the heat and the bathrooms are broken, said Arbuckle parent Maria Obregon. Theyve said that theres no money.

Thats not exactly the case. The district currently has $24.2 million in bond proceedsin an account with Santa Clara County, Controller Treasurer Alan Minato said.

Its more a matter of priorities.

The heating-cooling project at each of the three schools is estimated to cost $4.48 million.

Although the 2012 Measure J specified facility repairs like roofs, electrical systems, bathrooms and technology, the measure also allowed for acquiring sites and building facilities. Thats what the Alum Rock school board decided to do, when in 2015 it approved constructing new multipurpose rooms at Fischer and George middle schools and renovating a gym near Mathson Middle.

Together, those projects will cost $35.4 million, not including a new parking lot for what will be a multipurpose room for Mathson. Theprojects have drained the remaining 2012 Measure J funds and will draw on proceeds from 2016 Measure I.

Construction is expected to begin imminently on the Mathson and Fischer projects.

The heating and air conditioning projects for the three elementary schools have been bumped down in priority. Theywere approved by the board in January, construction manager Luis Rojas explained, and await state approval before being put out to bid. Rojas is CEO of the Southern California-based Del Terra group, which is earning $2.47 million as the program manager, overseeing bond spending in Alum Rock. Del Terra also manages specific construction projects, for which it earns additional fees.

These projects could not be done during the school year, Rojas said, because they are too disruptive to schools.

Only two elementary schools, Dorsa and Lucha, will get new heating-cooling systems this summer. And, portable ventilators now in those schools will be moved in July to Arbuckle, Cureton and McCollam, according to Kolvira Chheng, Alum Rocks assistant superintendent of business services.

Its not clearhow construction decisions are made and work prioritized in Alum Rock, and a recent facilities needs assessment has not been done.

Ive been asking for this for at least four years, trustee Karen Martinez said. As for deciding what to do first, she said, It should be really simple. Some things arent working, then we should work to fix them.

Currently, Rojascompiles a list of projects and presents theirstatus to a committee of residents and trustees led by board member Dolores Marquez. Its weekday noon meetings, set by Marquez, are sparsely attended.

Raymond Mueller, who heads the citizens oversight committee charged with reviewing bond expenditures, asked that the meetings be rescheduled to a time more accessible to working people.

Committee member and trustee Andres Quintero, who cannot make the meetings, also has asked that the group meet at other times. Only three of five committee members attended the May 19 meeting.

In the meantime, in response to complaints about hot classrooms, the district has provided each Arbuckle teacher with a desktop fan. Some teachers bring oscillating floor fans for their classes. They turn down the lights, ask students to bring plenty of water and cram their lessons into the early morning hours before the heat saps kids energy and attention.

On hot days, my students are like melted cheese.said one Arbuckle teacher who did not want her name used out of fear of retaliation.

You wouldnt leave a child in a hot car because youd be called out on it, she said. Yet we allow our kids to sit in these classrooms where its absolutely boiling,

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In Alum Rock classrooms, kids turn into 'melted cheese' - The Mercury News

Plans for a new climbing wall in the Northwest College Johnson Fitness Center are moving forward, but slowly. Other improvements to the fitness center are also in the works.

The $122,000 climbing wall was approved by the NWC Board of Trustees in April 2015, paid for with funding from the Wyoming Community College Commissions recapture and redistribution funding formula for that year.

However, the project has been on hold because of structural and other improvements needed to make the Trapper Gym in the Johnson Fitness Center ready for the climbing wall, and a delay in availability of the wall itself.

NWC Plant Manager Dave Plute said the needed preparatory work includes strengthening the wall of the gymnasium where the climbing wall will be installed, adding a heating and air conditioning system and refinishing the gym floor.

In addition, cellulose insulation will be removed from the gym ceiling. The insulation is nonflammable, but will ignite if touched by an open flame, Plute said. In addition, the insulation comes loose when hit with a ball, floating into the buildings ventilation system.

The cellulose insulation will be replaced with insulation that is nonflammable and noncombustible, and it will be covered by a suspended ceiling and new lighting installed, Plute said.

The Johnson Fitness Center projects have been approved for funding through major maintenance money from the state of Wyoming. The HVAC system, insulation, ceiling and structural work is estimated to cost $450,000, with another $100,000 for work on the gym floor.

Work on the heating and cooling system has already begun. It will be completed during the summer, Plute said.

Plute noted that the Trapper Gym and offices in the Johnson Fitness Center havent had air conditioning.

The only thing you could do was open the window and hope for a breeze, he said.

The new HVAC system will make the building more comfortable and usable during warm-weather months, well into the future, he said.

The new climbing wall wont be available for installation until next summer.

The company told NWC officials that they would not be able to provide the wall until November or December 2017.

So phase two of the work on the Trapper Gym/Johnson Fitness Center strengthening the wall, removing the old insulation and installing new insulation, adding a suspended ceiling and new lighting will be completed in spring and summer 2018 in conjunction with installing the climbing wall.

The project is complex and requires detailed sequencing, coordination and scheduling, Lisa Watson, NWC vice president for administration and finance, told the NWC Board of Trustees earlier this month.

The cost to install the climbing wall is estimated at $60,000.

Keith McCallister, an assistant professor of health, outdoor and physical education, said there is an increasing interest in climbing, both among NWC students and the general public. The old climbing wall in the Cabre Gym is outdated and difficult to manage, he said.

Plute added, It turns what is a great thing into an attractive nuisance sometimes.

He said a couple of 10-year-olds escaped their parents during the NWC graduation earlier this month and started free-climbing the wall without any safeguards.

I was able to intercept them and tell them to go back to their parents, Plute said.

Other projects

Additional major maintenance projects planned at Northwest College over the summer include:

Roof replacement for the DeWitt Student Center. Although plans to replace that building are beginning, that wont happen for at least another 10 years, and the roof must be replaced to prevent problems, NWC President Stefani Hicswa told the board at a previous meeting.

The roof replacement was bid out to McGs Roofing of Cody for $73,300, with an August completion. Another $22,500 was budgeted for the design.

Equine arena work, including painting, insulation, lighting, heating and ventilating and replacement of a fence in the riding area at a total estimated cost of $197,000.

Trapper Rodeo Arena improvements, at an estimated cost of $100,000.

Weve already finished the heater piece and made drainage improvements, and now were working on the electrical system, Plute said. Were taking it and making it as safe as we can make it.

Installation of Big Voice emergency notification system and strobes in the Fagerberg Building and the Fagerberg Annex (formerly the nursing building), at a cost of $169,000. Those are the only NWC classroom buildings currently without the Big Voice emergency system and strobes.

Exterior access and drainage improvements to Colter Hall.

Excerpt from:
New NWC climbing wall delayed - Powell Tribune