What is going on with the 2nd floor?
Our HVAC system has been unable to keep up with extreme temperatures in the summer and winter months. The A/C unit which services the upper levels of the building needed major repairs in 2020 and has failed again. This leads the second floor and mezzanine levels to be uncomfortably hot and humid–we’ve seen the temperature on mezzanine climb over ninety degrees.
We know this is disruptive, inconvenient, and, frankly, frustrating to our patrons.
So, what is taking so long?
We have plans to replace our HVAC system with a new, reliable system within the next few years. Repairing the broken unit on the current system will require significant funds and we are working with our engineers to determine if we can install part of the new system to replace the broken HVAC unit instead. We hope to have information soon that will allow us to move forward with a repair or replacement.
What’s the big picture?
Engineers from OLA Consulting Engineers did an extensive study on the Library’s current system, which was installed in 2007. The geothermal well system cannot maintain a constant water temperature, especially during extreme air temperatures in the summers and winters. The well field capacity is undersized, and lacks water level controls and appropriate alarms. The building’s A/C units are undersized and have deteriorated, making it impossible for the Library to cool adequately during the summer months and warm during the winter. Excessive sand from the wells has led to accelerated degradation for mechanical units.
The system has continued to degrade over time. The well pumps have a history of regular failures and continue to fail; one well has been completely decommissioned.
To learn more about our plans to replace the library’s HVAC system, click here.