Spring shoulder season

We are entering a 3- to 4-week period referred to as the “spring shoulder season”, which runs from early April to May. It is during this period that we switch from heating our buildings to cooling them. This transition does not affect the ventilation levels in the spaces, only the temperature.

Although the University is transitioning toward more flexible and adaptable systems, it remains difficult to maintain stable temperatures in some of our buildings at this time of the year, given the outdoor temperature fluctuations.

The following factors further complicate the matter:

• Some of our mechanical systems were not designed to respond to excessive temperature changes;
• Even though mechanical ventilation is maintained throughout this period, some buildings still have systems that cannot heat and cool simultaneously;
• The transfer from one mode to the other is cumbersome and labour intensive and requires a few weeks to complete across the campus.

While we proceed with the necessary adjustments to our HVAC systems, your workspace may become warm when the outdoor temperature rises. You can try to make your space more comfortable by closing your office blinds and avoiding using other sources of heat, such as incandescent lighting. Keep in mind that should the temperatures drop significantly in the coming weeks, the opposite may occur and your workspace may feel cool. This should be resolved as more stable summer temperatures set in.

If you require any assistance or should you wish to discuss any situation of concern during this period, we invite you to contact the Facilities Call Centre (FCC) at 514-398-4555.