HVAC Replacement 2024

Many of you have noticed over the past year that Sunday services have often been downright humid and uncomfortable. Temperatures have been difficult to regulate in our sanctuary, meeting spaces, offices, choir room, and sacristies, leaving them stuffy and inhospitable. The culprit is our HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), specifically, the chiller, which is well past its expiration date. The situation is unsustainable, and the issue is critical. The current chiller will fail within the year if it is not replaced.

Over the last several months, St. John’s Vestry, Property Commission, Finance Committee, and your clergy, have done their due diligence and prayerfully discerned a way forward. You can see it outlined below.

St. John’s clergy, and our HVAC Project Committee Chairs Mary Byrd and Ramsay Sims, are asking for your financial support to keep our sanctuary and campus welcoming and cool as we continue to do God’s ministry and work at St. John’s.

Our financial goal to accomplish this critical work is $1.5 million. We recognize this is a significant goal, slightly more than our budget for an entire year of pledged giving. There are many ways to accomplish this, through cash, checks, IRA distributions, charitable funds, or stock gifts. You can give easily by clicking the button below.

GIVE NOW

Our shared life together at St. John’s is a source of continual joy. Help us to “keep cool” as we steward our beloved grounds into the next generation of faithful life and service.

For more information, please view Fr. Lonnie’s January 21, 2024 sermon where he explains the need for the HVAC replacement on our YouTube Channel by clicking here.

UPDATE JULY 3, 2024: During the last few months, contractors were interviewed and submitted bids. A bid submitted by Rippee Construction was selected. They have given us an installation timeline which you can view below. Pre-construction work has already begun and a new chiller will be shipped on July 29.

Please note, while the new chiller will be up and running on October 8, it will still be in the construction phase. The work should be substantially complete on October 25, 2024 with DOAS work substantially complete by January 24, 2025.

During this time, all care will be taken and measures will be in place to ensure ongoing church operations.

HVAC Replacement F.A.Q.

How long will it take to replace the HVAC System?

Three contractors were interviewed and submitted bids. Rippee was selected to complete the project and has already begun pre-construction work. The new chiller will be shipped July 2024, and construction will begin September 2024.

Will church services or operations be interrupted?

We anticipate minimal disruption to worship and operations and will keep the parish apprised of any necessary, temporary adjustments.

What will happen if we do not make this replacement?

The chiller, which supplies A/C to almost the entire campus, is in imminent danger of collapse. We have kept it working only partially for the last two years via temporary patches and repairs.

Are you still taking gifts and pledges?

Yes. While you cannot make a long-term pledge, gifts are most welcome.

Who can I contact for more information?

The chairs of the HVAC Replacement 2024 Committee: Mary Byrd and Ramsay Sims: mbsims2168@gmail.com or rhsims1969@gmail.com

Can St. John’s take out a loan?

Due to currently high interest rates, the Vestry and Finance Committee strongly recommend against taking out a loan if at all possible, thus avoiding significant interest and fees over time.

Can St. John’s Foundation cover the cost?

No. St. John’s Foundation serves as the endowment for St. John’s Episcopal Church, managing a corpus composed primarily of gifts given after death. Interest earned from this corpus allows the Foundation to spend a maximum of 4% of the endowment annually. This distribution is used to help fund Vestry-approved ministries. The larger the corpus grows over time, the more the Foundation is able to provide. For that reason, St. John’s Foundation and St. John’s Episcopal Church abide by a strict policy preventing withdrawal from the corpus beyond the annual 4%.

Do we have a major capital reserve for such needs?

Not at this time. While St. John’s is in a healthy cash position and maintains various designated and undesignated reserves, we do not currently have a dedicated reserve solely for capital needs. This is a strategic need, and the time is right for the Finance Committee and Vestry to begin working toward this for future.

Are there any recent special gifts that can be used?

St. John’s was fortunate to receive a significant gift last year, which can assist this project in covering cost overruns and the unexpected. It is being held in reserve for that purpose.

Why haven’t we heard about this project sooner?

Thorough work takes thorough time. The Property Commission and Finance Committee have been acting since we became aware of this need several months ago, ordering assessments from our engineering company, studying their recommendations, and discerning the best way forward.

Will the new system be more energy efficient?

Yes. Not only should it be more operationally efficient, but St. John’s will reap significant savings in not having to call on repair services on a monthly—sometimes even weekly—basis.

Will this work help protect the church organ?

Yes! The DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) will help regulate humidity levels which will maintain the organ’s quality and lifespan.

HVAC Replacement F.A.Q.

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