Whether you’re outraged or heartened by President Trump’s 17-day golf vacation, one of the buried ledes in that story is that the White House is getting a very much-needed HVAC upgrade in the West Wing.
Information is scant about the new system, but what we do know is that the existing system is 27 years old, and according to this article, currently runs 24-7. The Hill reports that because of this overuse, its usage age “is pegged around 84 years old.” Not good, very bad.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is performing the renovation, along with several cosmetic fixes (replacing worn carpets, painting), an upgrade to the facility’s IT system, and several other renovations.
This Politico story sheds particularly interesting light on the challenges of maintaining the White House’s infrastructure. And here’s some fascinating information about the history of heating and cooling in the White House.
This Quick Read was submitted by Greg Zimmerman, executive editor, Building Operating Management. Read his cover story on the how sustainability and resilience complement each other.
