EASLEY — Members of the school board voted last week to change the type of heating and cooling systems for the new high school again.

They now plan to use a modified four pipe system, similar but less expensive than the system originally approved for the schools.

The board had approved a cheaper heat pump system for the schools in an effort to build the schools within budget. However, after doing some research, outgoing interim superintendent Mendel Stewart recommended using the modified pipe system instead.

He said in the long run, the system would last much longer and net a lifecycle savings of $4.4 million per school.

“It will be significantly longer before we have to fund replacements,” Stewart said.

The newly approved system is rated to last about 23 years, in comparison to the heat pump system rated to last about 15 years, he said.

The four-pipe system will cost between $4.5 million and $5 million in additional funds.

Stewart asked the board to approve the change, saying they could seek bids for the systems at that point and then see what measures would have to be taken to budget for them.

He said there is money available for shovel ready projects they can pursue.

“I don’t want to spend more money on the high schools and take away from the middle schools,” he said. “This will be a good system and pay off in the long run.”

The board approved the system unanimously, with Dr. B.J. Skelton absent.