Aviano starts no heat, no cool season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Aviano Air Base, Italy --  As Italy begins to warm up for the spring and summer months, personnel at Aviano Air Base may be questioning why the air conditioning hasn't been turned on yet.

On April 8, the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron turned off the heating units across base in order to perform routine maintenance on the equipment before transitioning into the cooling season.

As part of the shutdown, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning shop prepares the systems for operation by conducting preventive and scheduled maintenance, operational checks and repairing any damaged units.

During this time, each building's HVAC system is designed to cool the buildings naturally by taking in the cool outside air, and, according to Master Sgt. Donald McNair, 31st CES HVAC NCO in charge, which it eliminates the need for mechanical cooling systems.

"This (free-cooling period) is important for us because there is a chance the equipment will not immediately start as planned since the system has been turned off for six months," he said.

As soon as temperatures have averaged at least 75 degrees for at least five days, the air conditioning will be turned on base-wide or as directed by base leadership. Typically, the air conditioning is turned on by mid-June.

"I ask customers to be patient as our shop does everything possible to satisfy the customer's needs," said McNair, who is responsible for ensuring the more than 170 buildings on base are ready for the hot, summer months. "Turning the air conditioning on can be a lengthy process and is not as simple as flipping a switch."

On average, Aviano spends approximately $4,000 dollars a day to cool the base during the summer months and nearly three million dollars a year to heat and cool the base.

The 31st CES base energy manager, Riccardo Antonini, suggests individuals open their windows and doors to help cool off the offices until the air conditioning is turned on.

"As you go in and out of Italian homes and businesses make note of the complete lack of air conditioning," Antonini said. "Their doors and windows are open to help cool them off."

Once the air conditioning is turned on, the HVAC shop asks facility managers report any issues to 31st CES customer service at 632-5636.