Fairfax County Public Schools Upgrades Oak View Elementary HVAC Systems | The Locally Times

The transition from water-cooled systems to electric heat pumps at Oak View Elementary is projected to reduce annual energy consumption by 25%.

Fairfax County Public Schools has initiated a comprehensive mechanical upgrade at Oak View Elementary, replacing aging water-cooled HVAC equipment with modern electric heat pump technology. This project, which carries a total budget of $4.8 million, is part of a broader sustainability initiative approved by the Fairfax County School Board on January 25, 2024. The installation process is scheduled to span 14 months, with a final completion target set for March 15, 2025. By moving away from water-cooled chillers, the facility expects to lower its water usage by 30% annually. The contract for the equipment procurement was awarded to a regional vendor for $1.2 million, covering 42 individual heat pump units. The school district allocated $3.5 million from its fiscal year 2024 budget to cover the primary construction and labor costs associated with the site modifications. Engineers confirmed that the new system will improve air filtration efficiency by 15% compared to the previous infrastructure installed in 1998. Monitoring systems will track energy performance data starting in April 2025 to ensure the project meets its 20% efficiency improvement threshold.