Seasonal
Changes for Air Conditioning and Heat
Heat & Air Conditioning Weather in the Fall
and Spring can significantly fluctuate from hot to cold and
cold to hot within a matter of days. The heating and air
plant that supplies most residential buildings cannot be
switched on and off from AC to heat or heat to AC without
significant adjustments.
Switching to heat or AC requires that the water system be
bled and changed over. After doing this we would not be able
to switch modes very easily should we get a change in
temperatures.
The physical plant carefully monitors temperatures and
makes decisions about when to convert to heat or AC.
When the heat or AC first comes on, be sure to check on the
adjustments available on your units. Each residence
hall has different types of controls so if you have any
questions regarding adjusting your heat or AC, contact your
friendly neighborhood RA.
General Guidelines for Switching between Heat and AC
Over the years the Physical Plant has worked out guidelines
whereby temperature changes are monitored and a
determination is made when to turn the heat and air on and
off. Taking into consideration the many weather changes we
have in the fall and spring, the following general
guidelines have been established:
Fall
– Turning on Heat In cooling mode we track five
consecutive days/nights with the recorded low temperature of
50 degrees or lower. We also consider daytime temperatures
to some extent. If we have not made the changeover by the
15th of October, we will do so at that time.
Spring – Turning on Air Conditioning In heat
mode, we track five consecutive days/nights with the
recorded low temperature of 50 degrees or higher. We also
consider daytime temperatures to some extent. If we have not
made the changeover by the first week in May we will do so
at that time.
