Welcome to fall! In Wisconsin, this seasonal transition brings a variety of temperatures as we have seen over the past couple of weeks. This is also the time of the year when many are wondering “Where’s The Heat”! Or “Why is it so Hot!” We have begun the process of getting all the heating equipment up and running, but it will likely take another week to get everything on. Many of our boilers are on temperature sensors that will only turn on if the outdoor temperatures are low enough. We also have 100s of pieces of equipment that require changing the heat mode manually. This process takes time. The kind of heating system used in our apartments is very efficient, and if we turn on the heat too early, the apartments quickly become too warm for comfort. Please know our Facilities team is closely monitoring the weather and has already begun preparations.
Once the heat is on in your building, you will have some control over the heat in your apartment using the thermostat or individual radiator controls. In Eagle Heights and Harvey Street, thermostats are on the living room or hallway walls inside your apartment. In University Houses there is a control on each radiator located behind the panel, at the bottom of the radiator. Thermostats have a gauge on the bottom that indicates the current temperature of the room and it has a dial on the top that can be adjusted to the desired heat setting. The heat can be increased approximately to 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. In University Houses, the control should be turned to the left to turn the heat on and turned to the right to turn the heat off. Sometimes when the radiators are heating up, a knocking or clicking sound can be heard, which is normal for the heating system in University Apartments. This is usually due to the expansion of the heating pipes. Watch this video to see how to adjust your heat in all of our apartments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwPW1FvhJpE&list=PLDok2LhjjWbh0ovN3YpxMwDdoXwiuYMQG&index=7
Here are a few helpful hints to keep warm in your apartment through the seasonal transition:
- When it is cool out, keep your windows closed, especially at night. We know many residents enjoy fresh air circulating through the apartments, keeping the windows closed or just slightly cracked will help reduce cold air venting in.
- Wear layers. When you’re doing a combination of activities—standing, walking, sitting, going outside and inside and back outside again—your body regulates its temperature differently. Layering allows you to be comfortable throughout the day as your body temperature and activity level change. When the weather is so unpredictable, layers provide the preparation you need for any unexpected changes in temperature.
- Use a thick comforter/blanket for sleeping.
- If you’d like to invest in an additional heating source, stores like Ace Hardware, Target, Menards, Walmart and others sell small space heaters. When using a space heater please be cautious if children are in the apartment as they can run hot. In addition, they should be secured on a hard, level space and away from damp spaces and water. They should also only be used when you are home.
Happy New Season!