The Heat is on in University Apartments!

You may have noticed the mechanics in your living areas working in the basement of the buildings. The heat has officially been turned on in all University Apartments  buildings.  Because we are still experiencing warm days but have started having some cool nights, we are slowly increasing the temperatures on the boilers to try to prevent over heating the buildings.  The heat may not be running all the time when our temperatures are warmer during the day.

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 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.  All areas of University Apartments our buildings 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.

Adjusting Temperature

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 a maximum of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 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. There are no individual temperature adjustments in University Houses.  To lower the temperature in the apartment, consider turning some of the convectors off.

Those Strange Sounds

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

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 open for fresh air.  If you have windows open and your thermostat or convectors calling for heat, your apartment will call for heat more often, impacting your neighbors and the energy efficiency of the system.  It is fine to open the windows to get fresh air in the apartment, but they should not be open for long periods of time when the heating system is on.

  • 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 in the winter unless the air conditioner is removed, the sleeve re-insulated 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 and the air under your bed). Typically, keeping furniture or other items 3-4 inches away from the convectors is sufficient.

Additional heating notes~

  • Wear layers

It is a good idea to wear more layers of clothing during the winter months to feel warmer. Socks and cozy sweatshirts or sweaters become common for fall and winter.  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.

  • Submitting a Work Request

If you apartment is too hot or too cold and you have tried adjusting your thermostat (in Eagle Heights or Harvey Street) or turning off the convectors (in University Houses) please submit a work request.  At times a value will get stuck open or closed which results in too much or too little heat in an apartment- and we want to address that before it really gets cold. Please remember that the maximum heat will be between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (about 22 degrees Celsius).  Check the current temperature before submitting a work request.  This is the time of year when we have to re-climatize to the changing seasons.

Here’s to keeping warm this season!