Summer is officially over and it’s time to make way for earlier sunsets, outdoor maintenance and transitioning your mechanical equipment. Have you decided when your building’s going from air conditioning to heating? Figuring out the exact day for a perfect transition can be tricky because of our always changing climate. We see warm days in September, but October can quickly turn to cold nights and frigid mornings. Properly transitioning the temperature of your mechanical equipment is not only important for your residents comfort but for the lifespan of your equipment. When cool air is left on too long residents can place added stress on their mechanical equipment by improperly setting their in suite thermostats too warm. Additional unit stress on an aging building’s mechanical equipment that may not be receiving adequate maintenance or may have an issue that needs addressing can lead to unavoidable, costly repairs. No two building are identical – figuring out the right time for your building to transition from cool to heat is very important for saving money, ensuring your residents are comfortable and maintaining your common areas.
At Certified Building Systems we like to provide our clients with the knowledge to make educated decisions regarding the individual nature of their buildings. Beyond providing great service and knowledgeable recommendations, our information comes from a personal place as suite owners and board members. If you’re having trouble figuring out the perfect time to transition your mechanical equipment have a look at our recommendations below.
Consider the number of residents in your building
If you manage a larger building or complex chances are you have a larger resident portfolio and are utilizing the common areas more so than a smaller building with less amenities. Common areas such as the gym, lobby, rec room or movie theater require good heating/cooling control because people are regularly using them. Just like their suite, tenants want these amenities to be comfortable throughout every season. Before transitioning from cool to heat consider the following,
- Notifying your residents in advance of the date of transition.
- Providing them with information and tips on maintaining in suite comfort without over setting their in suite thermostat.
- Installing a Building Automation System in your building to monitor the usage of your mechanical equipment in all common areas. A BAS will alleviate pressure on your mechanical system’s usage by programming for peak and low usage times. In addition to saving you money on your growing utility costs, this will also give you a clear idea of the perfect time to transition your equipment’s temperature without creating any discomfort in your building.
The age of your mechanical equipment
Is your building over 10 years old? Did you have any issues in previous seasons with your heating equipment? Do your residents complain about their in suite temperature? Chances are if your building is over 10 years old or you answered yes to any of those questions you may want to focus on transitioning your equipment earlier to check for any issues before the cold temperatures really set in. Undertaking a boiler retrofit right before the first snow fall is both chaotic and costly i.e. not something you want to be doing! To mitigate any issues related to aging equipment have your mechanical equipment checked by a knowledgeable and experienced service provider (like CBS). Check the equipment and listen to their recommendation, especially if there are issues. This can save you time and money before the winter season or before a serious issue arises. Additionally, arm your residents with knowledge about the building, its age, in suite filter cleaning and proper programming of their thermostats. Simple tips like opening blinds to allow sunlight into the unit or cleaning their filters because the building is over 10 years old can make the difference in your aging equipment’s maintenance. Proper in suite knowledge and regular equipment maintenance can and will help aging mechanical equipment last through tough seasonal temperatures and make transitioning from cool to heat easier on your tenants and building.
Posted Sept 23rd, 2015