PSEG Long Island Presents $255K Rebate to Huntington

By reducing its carbon footprint, Huntington UFSD is not only contributing to a cleaner, greener world, it’s saving money, too, all while students and staff are more comfortable in warm weather.

The district embraced an initiative to remove 188 inefficient window air conditioning units and replace them with units utilizing modern air source heat pumps designed to operate more efficiently and to save money while doing so.

District employees, supplemented by an outside contractor worked throughout June, July and August and right up to opening day in September installing the new units, including the electrical wiring required for every room.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Acker and Lead Operations Manager George Austin oversaw the project. PSEG Long Island officials were on hand at last Monday’s night’s public meeting of the Huntington School Board in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium. The district was able to use current general fund monies to complete the project. No funds were borrowed or interest charges incurred.

“The district has made a firm commitment to realizing energy efficiencies and promoting environmental sustainability, as well as saving taxpayer dollars in a particularly productive manner,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “We are proud of our recent and ongoing efforts in this regard and genuinely appreciate being recognized accordingly.”

The district was presented with a mock check in the amount of more than $255,000, which represents the rebate PSEG Long Island is issuing to Huntington UFSD for removing all the inefficient air conditioning units and installing modern, efficient equipment.

“PSEG Long Island commends the Huntington School District for taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, which creates a safer and cleaner environment for its students,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy at PSEG Long Island. “By upgrading the AC units to more energy efficient air source heat pumps, the district will save its taxpayers’ money, while conserving energy for our immediate and long-term future.”

Mr. Voltz said that PSEG Long Island estimates the district will save between $90,000 to $100,000 annually as result of replacing the inefficient equipment.

The US Department of Energy says the efficiency and performance of current air-source heat pumps is a result of technical advances, including:

• Thermostatic expansion valves for more precise control of the refrigerant flow to the indoor coil

• Variable speed blowers, which are more efficient and can compensate for some of the adverse effects of restricted ducts, dirty filters, and dirty coils

• Improved coil design

• Improved electric motor and two-speed compressor designs

• Copper tubing, grooved inside to increase surface area.