It’s Been A Relatively Cool Spring So Far

However, our team has completed seasonal preparations of our AC mechanicals and the cooling system is just about ready for use.

They have indicated Monday April 28^th will likely be the first day we make the switch. We will continue providing heating as conditions require. Considering the present weather outlook, heat will be needed overnight for some time yet. In general, our teams goal will be to maintain hallway temperatures in the low 70s which tends to support unit temperatures in the low 70s as well. Many variables influence this process.

Heating must continue being available until June, consistent with the Chicago Heating Ordinance. Typically this time of year we need to default to heating service and only switch to cooling if conditions are expected to result in discomfort. At times in the Spring, this can be very difficult to navigate, particularly when we have relatively cool outdoor temps but full sunlight during the day. Even when we do change over, it’s not just a flip of a switch. To avoid damage to our pipes and mechanicals we have to allow the temperature of the water in the pipes to properly modify before we can switch. (More specifically, we can’t put cold water into the boiler system and we can’t put hot water in the chillers.) This transition process can take 6 to 8 hours.

Typically we expect the need for heating with outdoor temps in the mid to low 50s or colder. For cooling we aim for AC availability when the sun is out and temps are around 60 degrees or higher. When the weather changes quickly, switchovers can be challenging. When it’s 40 degrees in the morning, and climbs into the 70s in the early afternoon, the transition will be slow, if it happens at all. Our staff has to consider whether heating will be needed again that night, and the time it takes to switch back over to heat. We realize full sun during the day heats some units very quickly, but there will be times we may not switchover because of the timing.

Also, feedback from residents can help trigger manual adjustments which may improve comfort. It will not be 100% comfortable for 100% of our residents, 100% of the time, but resident comments and observations can help us make adjustments and improve conditions as much as possible. Contact us at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com, or call the office 773-769-3250.