Swap the evaporative cooler pads at an invited Barstow home before summer (2026-07-20)

Barstow cools on evaporative coolers and its hard desert water scales their pads to stone. Households — many elderly, many on rail-pension or service incomes — run failing coolers through dangerous heat because the maintenance never happens. A seasonal pad swap is an hour that restores the machine a Barstow summer depends on. Standard: DOE evaporative cooling maintenance guidance — SDG 7. Proof: Before-and-after pad photos plus the cooler running Method (DOE evaporative cooling maintenance guidance — SDG 7.): 1. Shut off cooler power and water with the occupant's OK. 2. Pull the scaled pads and clean the pan and lines. 3. Fit new pads and check float, pump, and belt. 4. Restore water and power and confirm cool wet airflow. 5. Photograph old pads, new pads, and the running cooler with GPS and date. Done when: Before-and-after pad photos plus the cooler running

Where

Occupant-invited home near E Main St & Yucca Ave, Barstow, CA 92311

Pay

$200 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before-and-after pad photos plus the cooler running

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-19

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 60–120 minutes. Method of record: ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit

Bring

• tablet/clipboard
• tape measure
• light meter (lighting scope)
• clamp thermometer (refrigeration scope)
• 12-month utility bills
• camera
• ladder + spotter (high fixtures)

Steps

1. 1. Confirm the address; arrange a staff escort for mechanical/back-of-house.
2. 2. Photograph HVAC, lighting, envelope, and any in-scope systems.
3. 3. Inventory systems: HVAC type + age; lighting fixture count/type/wattage; refrigeration units; envelope condition.
4. 4. Summarize 12 months of utility use (kWh / therms) from the bills.
5. 5. Take the in-scope measurements (light levels, unit temperatures, seal condition).
6. 6. Rank no-cost/low-cost measures, then capital measures, with rough savings logic.
7. 7. Enter inventory, measurements, utility summary, photos, and the ranked measure list; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Knob-and-tube, ungrounded or overheated wiring, scorched outlets, or a hot electrical panel -> STOP: do not operate the circuit; route to a licensed electrician and restrict use (NEC / fire hazard).
• Gas odor, or a combustion appliance with absent/blocked venting (backdrafting / CO risk) -> STOP: evacuate, ventilate, call the gas utility. The agent escalates, never relights or adjusts gas.
• Any live-electrical/gas hazard -> document, do not touch, flag for a licensed pro.
• Refrigeration unit out of food-safe range -> flag as both energy and food-safety risk.
• Suspected asbestos/lead in materials -> flag and stop.

What counts as done

• System inventory complete for the in-scope equipment
• 12-month utility use summary recorded
• In-scope measurements recorded with units
• Ranked no-cost/low-cost + capital measure list produced

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.