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Penobscot County scrambles to cool jail kitchen after AC compressor fails; portable unit and long-term replacement discussed
Summary
County staff described an urgent failure of the jail kitchen air‑conditioning system, a temporary workaround using air movers and ice, an expected compressor delivery next week, and consideration of buying a water‑cooled portable unit (about $8,000) to use during future failures.
Penobscot County officials said a compressor failure over the weekend knocked out air conditioning in the county jail kitchen, forcing staff to deploy temporary air movers and other stopgap measures while they wait for replacement parts.
The county’s facilities staff told commissioners the compressor for the kitchen air conditioner shorted and then seized; they expect a new compressor to arrive in mid to late next week and said installation will take about a day after delivery. In the meantime staff removed a belt on a supply fan, placed fans to draw conditioned hallway air into the kitchen and used portable “air movers” and ice to try to lower temperatures.
County staff said the cooking equipment and oven depend on ventilation fans to run, so the overheating was an operational concern as well as a comfort issue. Personnel described the temporary setup as marginally effective on a hot, humid day and said the portable measures made the kitchen “better than doing nothing.”
As an interim option commissioners and staff discussed renting or buying a specialized water‑cooled portable air conditioner available through a national rental company. Staff reported the rental house had a small stock of that model; a comparable unit would cost roughly $8,000 to buy and would not require venting through an outside wall (it drains through a hose to a floor drain). Staff said buying one could be useful countywide because it could be deployed wherever a hose and floor drain are available.
Commissioners approved staff following up: checking immediate rental availability this afternoon and, if necessary, approving out‑of‑state travel to pick up a unit if a rental stock is depleted. Staff said they would return with price quotes and a recommendation; no final purchase decision was made at the meeting.
Longer‑term, the county’s facilities staff described the jail HVAC as “well past its useful life.” They said a full replacement for the building’s systems had been estimated at roughly $9 million to $12 million in prior work, and that logistical complexity (roof removals, crane use, and keeping the jail operational during work) would be substantial. Commissioners asked staff to provide cost and logistics options for short‑term fixes, rentals and long‑term replacement plans.
Staff also reported a separate plumbing purchase for the jail that had been double‑paid; vendor credits and replacement parts (including stainless fixtures for a “change‑up” room) were being processed to reconcile the overpayment. Commissioners asked staff to bring a reconciliation and any necessary supplemental request back at the next meeting.
Looking ahead, staff said the kitchen problem should be resolved after the compressor arrives and is installed; they forecast the kitchen would be back to normal by the end of next week if the part arrives on schedule.
