Friday, March 30, 2001

By Keith Boydston, Naples bureau

Keith Boydston / Stars and Stripes Gianni Coppola, the quality assurance manager at the Naples, Italy, housing warehouse, checks one of 2,500 new portable two-piece air conditioning units that will be distributed to Naples and Gaeta, Italy, residents living on the economy.

NAPLES, Italy — This summer could bring cooler temperatures for many military and civilian residents living in Naples and Gaeta, thanks to some new portable air conditioners that housing officials will begin distributing Saturday.

"I think it’s a great perk for people living here," said Shellene Armacost, the Naples Housing warehouse manager. "This will give them a few hours of peace during the summer heat."

And residents of government housing areas can also expect cooler homes this summer.

Contractors have begun installing additional air conditioning units in apartments, Armacost said. By the end of June, all government-leased homes will have two units, she added.

But Saturday marks the first time residents on the economy will get government assistance in fighting the soaring summer temperatures.

"The biggest reason we’re doing it on Saturday is that we know most people are working during the week," Armacost said.

But don’t show up in a small car.

"It’s a very large box, so it won’t fit in a compact car," Armacost said. "People should make arrangements for a larger vehicle."

Authorized residents will be issued one air conditioning unit.

And residents don’t have to rush to or camp out at the warehouse on Saturday; they can still pick up air conditioners during normal working hours at both warehouses, Monday through Friday.

"I’m trying to tell everyone that there’s plenty to go around," Armacost said, adding that 2,500 units are on hand — which matches about the number of leases. "Some people have told me that they’re planning to camp out at 5 a.m. on Saturday, but they don’t have to do that.

"These units can be used without making any alterations to the house at all," Armacost said. "They can be easily run out of a window or a door."

Any costs associated with installing the unit are the responsibility of the resident, Armacost said. The housing office can provide a list of recommended contractors if needed.

Although the units will be free-of-charge, they still come with a price tag: the monthly electricity bill.

"We want people to be aware and careful about running it because of the increased cost associated," Armacost said. "People just need to be responsible about the usage."

Officials said that the unit is designed to run for just several hours at a time.

"The intent is to run it in the evening, at night when sleeping, or for a few hours during the hottest part of the day," Armacost said.

"I certainly wouldn’t run it 24-hours a day; it’s not going to be good for the unit or on the electricity bill."

Housing officials estimate that running the air conditioner six to eight hours a day could cost an additional $150 a month.

That bill has some people turned off.

"I don’t think I want one because I think it’s just going to cost too much to run," said Mary Rojas, a Naples-area resident, who added that her electricity bill already runs about $150 a month.

"And being a southern California girl, I’m really not accustomed to air conditioning, anyway."

But for some, a cooler summer is worth a few extra dollars.

"I’m going to check one out because the summers are so hot here," said Sandra Gilbert, an assistant librarian at the Naples High School for the past four years.

"But if my electric bill goes way up, then I’m going to return it."

Military servicemembers and DOD civilians who have had their leases negotiated through the Naples housing office qualify. Residents must bring their I.D. card and provide a copy of their lease when picking up the units. Pick-up times include: Naples residents, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Naples Housing warehouse in Pinetamare; Gaeta residents, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 7 at the housing warehouse in Gaeta. For more information, call civilian 081-839-3311 or DSN 625-3542.

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