New AC units throughout the school provide a different learning experience than in years past

McNicholas High School had very limited air conditioning throughout the entire building until this year. This has been an issue, especially in the early months of the school year, when classrooms could become sweltering during hot August days. Thankfully, over the summer, new AC units were finished for most of the school.

In fall of 2022, the main gym and locker rooms received AC. Mike Orlando, facilities director at McNicholas states, “The process was very extensive and challenging since we had to retrofit a new system into an already existing building.”

The project took months of planning before installation could happen as the school had to upgrade its electrical capacity to support the whole system. The second phase added AC to the main building except the upper and lower Marian hallway. The third phase will connect all rooms to the new system.

The gym’s AC was first completed as part of the first phase of the bigger AC project. The gym had previously used large fans to try and bring the temperature down, but these would sometimes get in the way of sports.

Excessive heat has a big effect on all the athletes who play there so, the school prioritized this space. Freshman Abby Turnick states, “It’s better because it’s not so hot anymore.”

*AC unit in room 010 providing cool air to classrooms.*

St. Joseph hallway and lower Alter hallway have AC and it is better for learning. Turnick states, “The classrooms that have AC are really good for learning, but the ones that don’t are really hot.” The cool rooms help students to focus on work rather than the heat.

The Upper Marian hallway is one of those spaces where the high temperature makes it hard to focus. Some classes that are usually housed in that area have been able to relocate to rooms in the halls that have AC now to avoid the hot, late summer days. Turnick states, “My scripture class moved down to the basement. I like not being hot anymore, but the basement is really cold.”

With winter approaching, heat also becomes a question. The construction process not only added AC to many rooms but fixed issues with the boiler that has been in the school since the start. In recent years, the boiler has struggled to keep up but the new units will resolve that problem.

This year, it is much cooler in the building. The new AC is an excellent addition to the school to increase the comfort level of students. Orlando says, “The new HVAC system provides the staff and students with a comfortable environment throughout the year to teach and learn.”