How does the Heat Work in University Apartments?
Many of our heating boilers are connected to outdoor air sensors that will only allow the heating boiler to create heat when it is cold enough outside. Some of our older equipment needs to be physically shut down and then restarted each year. These are ways we work to conserve energy to meet Wisconsin Energy Conservation guidelines.
To control the temperature in your apartment, you can use the thermostat or individual radiator controls. In Eagle Heights and Harvey Street, thermostats are on the living room or hallway wall inside your apartment. 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, about 22 degrees Celsius. Make sure the louvers are open on the convectors in each room.
In University Houses there is a control on each radiator located behind the panel, at the bottom of the radiator. This 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 or heating coils 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
All areas of University Apartments are heated by hydronic heat, hot water circulating through the heating pipes. This type of heat generally helps keep the humidity levels in your apartment at a normal level, even in the winter, so please check humidity levels before using a humidifier.
Heat distribution. To help keep the heat in the apartment and circulate well, be sure to:
*Keep the windows closed and locked when the heat is on.
Many residents come from climates where windows are always kept partially or completely open for fresh air. Some countries have heating systems where closed windows are considered dangerous or unhealthy. For our heating systems the windows do not need to be kept open. Once our temperatures get cold enough, having your windows open, even a very small amount, may make it hard to keep your home comfortable and your apartment may call for heat more often, impacting your neighbors and the energy efficiency of the system.
*Air Conditioners Should be Removed from the Wall
Uncovered air conditioner “sleeves” in the wall do not provide protection from the cold. It is impossible to keep your apartment warm unless the air conditioner is removed, and the covering placed in the wall. If Apartments staff installed your air conditioner, removal is included in the fee you already paid. If you prefer to do the work yourself, you just need to remove the air conditioner unit, insulate the opening with the foam block that was in the sleeve originally, and then place the cover over the opening. If you no longer have the insulation that was in the sleeve when you moved in, styrofoam or “batting” material can be purchased at local hardware stores. The Facilities Office may be able to provide a new block of foam for a fee depending on the availability of foam.
*Keep Furniture Away from the Walls
Our heating systems are radiant, or circulating hot water, not forced air. Furnishings must not be obstructing your convectors (for example if your bed is too close to your bedroom convectors, your room will be colder as the convector will be heating up the bed frame). Typically, keeping furniture or other items 3-4 inches away from the convectors is sufficient.
Additional heating notes~
Use additional clothing It is a good idea to wear more layers of clothing during the winter months to feel warmer. Also, having a few cozy blankets around would be helpful and warming. Also, when stepping outside keep warm and wear gloves and hats along with other winter gear to protect against frostbite and harsh, cold weather.
Sleeping tip~
Studies have indicated that you sleep a lot better when your room is colder. The ideal ambient temperature for sleeping is around 60 to 67F degrees. However, everyone has a different tolerance to heat and cold conditions.