New Castle Academy Air Conditioning

Originally constructed in 1798, the New Castle Academy is a historic two-story brick structure located on the edge of the New Castle Green. Though initially intended to serve as a college, it functioned as a school until 1930 and continues to be used today as a Sunday school. To ensure the building remains functional while respecting its historic character, a comprehensive HVAC upgrade was completed to introduce modern heating and cooling systems with minimal disruption to original architectural features.

Work included the complete removal of the outdated heating system and two basement oil tanks, including all related piping and supports. New HVAC components were installed, including basement units, attic-mounted heat pumps, and exterior air conditioning condensers placed on a newly poured concrete pad in the rear garden. New ductwork was added in the basement, while existing ducts were insulated and reused where possible. Two new vertical duct shafts were built on both floors, framed and finished to match existing finishes. Existing wood moldings and baseboards were carefully salvaged, reinstalled, or replicated to match original profiles.

Throughout the building, many walls and ceilings were patched and refinished. Select ceiling openings were made to install mechanical diffusers, and new metal floor-mounted grilles were installed to match existing designs. Final work included repainting several rooms on the first and second floors and constructing a painted cedar fence enclosure to screen the new exterior mechanical equipment.

This renovation preserves the Academy’s historic charm while equipping it for continued use in the 21st century, demonstrating a thoughtful integration of modern systems into a landmark building.