Residence Halls - Lincoln and Founders

The heating and air conditioning system works off of a chiller system where hot or cold water flows through the pipes of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to heat and cool the building. During the winter months, the pipes of the chillers are filled with hot water. During the summer months, the opposite takes place with the pipes being filled with cold water. The thermostats in the student rooms operate the fan unit which increases or decreases the flow of air over these pipes with hot or cold water. This is how the rooms are heated and cooled. Once the air conditioning for the building is activated, the system is on. The same is true for the heat. There is not the ability to allow for individual room selection of heat or cold based on individual preference. This system, like many large facility central heating/cooling systems, is not set up for or designed to operate like an independent home unit where you can switch back and forth between hot and cold. To heat or cool a building takes about three (3) to five (5) days. In that time, the outside temperature can be the same as what is desired inside the building and/or rooms.

Switching between building hot and cold water in the chillers is not a simple flip of the switch. There are preparation procedures and time involved. To avoid problems with the piping, the need for monitoring the system during switch over is necessary. Due to this type of system and the time of year when the weather can be warm during the day and cooler at night, we intentionally wait until the weather is more consistent around warmer or colder temperatures.

Generally to run the heat, the night time temperature must be consistently at or below 45 - 50 degrees and the day time temperature must also be below 60 degrees consistently so as to not overheat the building.

To run the Air Conditioning, the day time temperature needs to be consistently in high 60s for at least a week if not the 70s. The night time temperature also must be above 55 degrees. If the temperature is not warm enough, the air conditioning will not work.

There is not a set date used to determine when we changeover from Heat to Cool or from Cool to Heat. We do monitor the weather forecast closely and will make the changes as determined by climate conditions.

It should also be noted that whenever the heat is first used, there is often a slight smell for about 24 hours. Some describe this smell as “burning” and it is normal. If the smell continues after 48 hours you should submit a work request and alert your building staff.