WESTFORD CENTER — Westford Public Schools are preparing to pursue a major heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement project at Westford Academy after the school’s auditorium unit failed earlier this year.
During the Nov. 2 School Committee meeting, Director of Facilities Jeff Goodwin outlined the district’s upcoming capital improvement requests. He identified the replacement of WA’s rooftop HVAC equipment and building management system as an urgent priority amongst the school’s aging systems.
The project was identified as a significant capital need when the auditorium’s HVAC unit failed in August.
“The project has become even more urgent than what we originally thought,” Goodwin said.
According to Goodwin, the existing rooftop units are approximately 27 years old and have exceeded their expected useful life.
The district is working with energy services company Ameresco to develop a proposal that would address not only the auditorium’s failed unit but also the school’s other rooftop HVAC equipment and building management system. Goodwin said he expected to receive a cost proposal ahead of the Nov. 6 Capital Planning Committee meeting.
Although a final cost estimate was not available during the School Committee discussion, officials acknowledged that the project would represent a substantial capital investment.
The district is considering several approaches, including replacing the existing equipment with similar systems or converting the rooftop units to electric heat pumps.
Goodwin said electrification would likely carry a higher initial cost but could make the project eligible for additional rebates and financial incentives.
Officials will also need to determine whether to pursue the project through an energy performance contract with Ameresco or a traditional bidding process. Goodwin said a performance contract could provide additional flexibility in coordinating construction and reducing disruptions at WA.
The auditorium’s existing HVAC unit presents particular challenges because of its size and structural requirements.
According to Goodwin, the auditorium is served by a 130-ton unit, the largest of the school’s rooftop systems. Replacing it could require additional engineering considerations, including the weight of new equipment and its impact on the building.
Goodwin recommended separating the two projects, citing the urgency of the HVAC replacement and the complexity of coordinating both improvements. He explained that the type of HVAC equipment selected could affect the eventual roof design, making it more practical to address the mechanical systems first.
Goodwin said he also plans to submit a statement of interest for the Westford Academy roof project to the MSBA when the application window opens in spring 2027. The state agency would typically determine whether to accept the project into the program the following fall.
Before moving forward with the HVAC replacement, officials will need to evaluate the project’s cost, construction timeline, equipment options and potential impacts on school operations. For now, the district’s immediate priority is securing support for the replacement project and determining the most practical approach.
“It’s urgent that we replace them at this point,” Goodwin said.
