A bond in action: We get a behind-the-scenes look at Redmond High School HVAC upgrades ahead of the first day

(Update: Adding video, comments from construction company)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ ) -- Redmond High School students, parents and staff will notice cooler air and better ventilation as classes resume this fall as a result of work done over the summer through part of the school district's bond passed by voters in 2020.

Phase 1 of the $27.5 million bond will be completed in two weeks, on time for the first day of school.

Chad Franke, regional director for HMK, the construction company heading the upgrades, explained the HVAC system upgrades during a tour on Friday.

"We've gotten into all these air and water units and replaced the fans that are inside," Franke said. "So the fans kind of live in this area where there are coils and filters, and then the hot or cold water brings them into those coils, air pushes through the coils and tempers that air and then delivers it to the classrooms."

The school's HVAC system has been upgraded to keep cool air flowing through classrooms, while also installing a new system in the school welding room to allow for better ventilation.

"It's focusing on the dry side, which is the air movement throughout the school and making the air movement more efficient, for energy use, also more temperable, controllable, for in-classroom comfort as well," Franke said.

But he says many of the renovations needed for the high school will take longer than the summer to complete.

"The school needs a new roof, and it needs all its pipes for the HVAC system replaced," Franke said. "And so that entails pulling down all the ceilings, tearing off the roof, interacting with the asbestos fireproofing that still exists in the building, making sure it's encapsulated."

Voters will see another school bond on their ballots this November, as the school district is asking for a renewal bond that would raise $97.7 million for Phase 2 of construction. But it could affect students learning at school.

So far, the HVAC upgrades of Phase 1 have already saved the school nearly $70,000 in power costs, according to Energy Trust of Oregon , who's helping make sure the renovations are more energy-efficient.

"What's really important for people to understand is that what you're paying today is what you would pay if you passed this next bond in 2024," Franke said. "So it's not going to increase your taxes, but it's also to give a massive investment into the buildings and schools that we have in Redmond."

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