St. Paul High School Installs Ground Source Heat Pump System
Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, has installed a ground source heat pump cooling system, significantly improving conditions for students and staff. The installation addresses the need for updated heating and cooling systems in schools, particularly in light of rising temperatures and heat waves.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 6 |
Novelty | 6 |
Positivity | 8 |
Reliability | 8 |
Actionability | 7 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, installed a ground source heat pump cooling system last fall.
- The school is no longer among the 36,000 in the U.S. needing heating and cooling system updates, according to the Government Accountability Office.
- Schools can receive 30% reimbursement for new heat pump systems through the Inflation Reduction Act.
- 85% of students at Johnson High qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, and 95% are students of color.
- Ground source heat pumps can also provide heating in winter, reducing the need for additional heating systems.
Perspectives
- The installation of the heat pump system has led to fewer headaches and improved mental health for students, as the cooler environment helps manage anxiety and discomfort caused by heat. School officials and staff have expressed that the air conditioning has been a game-changer for the school community.
- While the benefits of ground source heat pumps are clear, there are challenges in implementation, such as the need for adequate space for installation and financial management during the reimbursement process. Not all schools may be able to adopt this technology due to these limitations.