Misawa residents permitted to buy, not turn on A/C

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Residents here are eligible to purchase portable air conditioning units for homes and dormitories, but are not yet permitted to turn them on. The news comes following the release of a policy approved June 30 by the 35th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Stephen Williams.

"With this policy, our goal is to provide our families and dorm residents some temporary relief during the peak summer months when temperatures and humidity rise to levels which could impact both safety and our quality of life," said Williams.

The new air conditioning policy is subject to the following rules:

- Only one unit (approved type) will be allowed per residence:
  • Units will be portable, floor-standing models with excess heat exhausted, via a flexible duct, through a window or door fitted with a "kit".
  • Units will not exceed 9,000 British Thermal Units and must be 110-120 volts and 50 hertz.
-Window A/C units are not authorized for use, both for safety and aesthetic reasons.

- You must turn off your portable A/C unit when no residents are in the home.

The base Housing and Dorm Management offices will provide a list of makes and models which meet minimum requirements. Residents are allowed to purchase units locally, but must still adhere to the necessary requirements.

All residents who would like to purchase air conditioning units for their homes must visit the housing office or dorm management office and sign an authorization letter acknowledging they understand the policy in place.

Because of a capacity limitation in Dormitory 539, the base is unable to support one A/C unit per room. Base leadership is working on a fair allocation policy for this dormitory along with options for increasing capacity.

Williams said the policy will require "self-policing" among our residents, and that it's critical not to exceed one unit per residence as excess use could lead to loss of air conditioning for the entire base due to limited electrical capacity.

Failure to comply with the guidelines will lead to the loss of air conditioning in your unit, possible Uniform Code of Military Justice action, and or loss of on base housing privileges and housing allowances. In other words, you will be directed to move off base at your own expense and will not receive housing allowance.

Williams said the permanent installation of air conditioning on the base is still a few years down the road, but that this policy helps bridge the gap between someday and today.

For more information on the A/C policy view the Commander's Access Channel, visit http://www.misawa.af.mil/library/airconditioningatmisawa/index.asp, or call the housing office or dorm management offices at 226-3200 and 226-4000, respectively.