'No heat, no cool' in effect for base

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  With cooler temperatures here, the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron heating ventilation and air conditioning unit began turning off air conditioning to all facilities Oct. 15.

The move is an annual event when temperatures fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days in a row and is approved by wing leadership according to Staff Sgt. Omar Jones, 8th Civil Engineer HVAC and refrigeration craftsman.

"The purpose of the no-heat, no-cool season is two fold," he said. "The first is energy conservation and the second is to perform preventive maintenance on the mechanical systems to ensure the almost 1,000 units on base are not only ready for the upcoming winter but ready for the next cooling season."

Sergeant Jones said it will take approximately four weeks for all units on base to be swapped over from cooling to heating. Each unit takes eight hours to shut down, valve off and drain the 100-ton chillers and open the water heating valves in order for the heating systems to work correctly.

"These steps must be done in correct order to ensure damage to the lines doesn't occur," he said. "Once the process of turning off chillers and turning on heating units begins it is difficult to change course and go back to cooling buildings."

The HAVC section has already turned off air conditioning units in work centers and community centers and are working on living facilities. Once living facilities are complete, those facilities will be the first to have heat turned on followed by community centers and then work centers. Sergeant Jones said all heat is expected to be turned on by Nov. 15 unless weather conditions require senior leadership to authorize the section to turn the heat on quicker.

The only exception to the no-heat, no-cool season is mission essential facilities requiring strict temperature control for equipment or have unique, personnel support functions.

Sergeant Jones said he understands some people are unhappy with no-heat, no-cool season but requests everyone be patient.

"The best advice for everyone is to be patient. The no-heat, no-cool season only lasts for about two months and once the current course of action has begun it is hard to reverse course. The HVAC section just asks for your understanding as temperatures rise and fall during the swap over."

For questions concerning the no-heat, no-cool season call the HVAC section at 782-4207.