Baltimore Schools’ Portable Air Conditioning Debate

At AC World, we have been doing our due diligence to keep blog readers up to date on the situation with portable air conditioners and Baltimore schools. The Washington Times reports on the latest in a recent article titled “Hogan gets heated over lack of air conditioning in Baltimore region’s public schools.”

Anjali Shastry of the Washington Times writes, “Tensions ran high Wednesday in the Board of Public Works meeting as Gov. Larry Hogan called out Baltimore officials for failing to install air conditioners in schools, saying it is unacceptable to leave students sweltering in summer. Nearly a third of schools in Baltimore County and the city lack air conditioning, but officials said they haven’t been able to install units because of a Public Works rule preventing spending on such construction. The Board of Public Works — a three-member panel made up of the governor, Comptroller Peter V. Franchot and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp — unanimously voted to change the rule Wednesday at a bimonthly meeting, aiming to give city and county officials no excuses for delay. ‘Twenty-two of the jurisdictions in the state have solved the problem of air conditioning,’ said Mr. Hogan, a Republican. ‘Two have not —Baltimore city and Baltimore County. And that is unacceptable.’ Mr. Franchot, a Democrat who has pushed for Baltimore schools to install portable, window-mounted air conditioners, heralded the policy change. ‘This is our Flint,’ said Mr. Franchot, comparing Baltimore’s situation to the lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. The board considered the air conditioning funding as part of the annual ‘beg-a-thon,’ in which school officials ask for increased construction money to their districts in the state budget. Jim Melia, a technology teacher at Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County, said classrooms become sweltering and ramps are not available for students in wheelchairs. He said he has requested funding from the school district and that he would be happy to teach out on the lawn rather than in miserable classroom conditions but that shouldn’t be necessary. He said the county’s reply was a ‘jibber-jabber runaround.’”

When it comes to portable air conditioners, we’ve got you covered at AC World. Our ductless mini split air conditioner is a cost effective alternative to central air conditioning. Yes, it is slightly more than the typically wall or window air conditioner, but the minor additional cost is easily and quickly recouped in energy savings and home security. For example, since the compressor sits on the outside, the ductless mini split air conditioner is very quiet and efficient. Furthermore, they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems.

Whatever portable air conditioner needs you might have, look no further than our team at AC World!