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

Half of Ukiah's older homes cool with evaporative coolers, and a unit running on last year's crusted pads pushes damp, mineral-laden air and barely cools at all — right as the valley heads into weeks over 100°F. A pad swap and clean before the heat is a cheap visit that makes the difference between a cooled house and a dangerous one. Standard: U.S. DOE Energy Saver evaporative cooler maintenance guidance; SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy. Proof: Before/after photos of the serviced cooler Method (U.S. DOE Energy Saver evaporative cooler maintenance guidance; SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy.): 1. Confirm the invitation and photograph the cooler and old pads; work only on ground-level or window units reachable without a roof ladder. 2. Shut off power and water to the unit, then remove and discard the old pads. 3. Flush the reservoir, wipe scale, and check the pump and float move freely. 4. Fit new pads, restore water, and confirm even wetting and airflow. 5. Photograph the new pads and the running unit with date. Done when: Before/after photos of the serviced cooler

Where

Invited homes, east Ukiah blocks off Gobbi Street, Ukiah, CA 95482

Pay

$180 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/after photos of the serviced cooler

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

Level

entry

Open until

2026-08-19

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.