Seasonal heating and cooling transition

Seasonal heating and cooling transition

Learn why seasonal HVAC transitions happen on the St. George campus, what to expect during the seasonal system changeover and how to report issues if your space feels too hot or too cold.

Contents

— About the seasonal transition

— At a glance

— Why you may feel temperature fluctuations

— What to do if you’re too hot or too cold

— Energy and sustainability

About the seasonal heating and cooling transition

As outdoor temperatures shift in the spring and fall, our Utilities & Building Operations team transitions St. George campus buildings between heating and cooling systems. This process ensures energy efficiency and comfort throughout the year.

During this changeover, you may notice some areas feel warmer or cooler than expected while systems stabilize. This page explains what’s happening, what to expect and how to get help if a space is uncomfortable.

At a glance

  • Cooling usually starts in May.
  • Heating usually starts in October.
  • Exact changeover dates depend on outdoor air temperatures and forecasts.
  • The temperatures of some spaces may fluctuate while HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems ramp up and outdoor temperatures vary.
  • In many campus buildings the seasonal transition is a multi-day process and switching rapidly between heating and cooling isn’t possible. We do our best to optimize comfort during this time.

Tip: Dressing in layers is the best way to stay comfortable while systems stabilize.

Why you may feel temperature fluctuations

Several factors cause spaces to feel warmer or cooler during switchover seasons:

  • The systems are warming up. Large and complex systems need time to fully circulate warm or cool air and calibrate.
  • Building design, including window exposure, insulation and different kinds of heating and cooling systems vary widely across campus.
  • The rapid outdoor temperature swings that we experience during the fall and spring can temporarily affect interior conditions.
  • St. George is a large, historic campus. Some older equipment requires manual adjustments in the first few weeks.

Our Utilities & Building Operations team monitors building conditions, adjusting as needed.

What to do if you're too hot or too cold

During seasonal switchovers, you may experience temperature variations (especially in the mornings or during extreme cold snaps or sudden thaws). This should stabilize within two weeks.

If your space remains uncomfortable, please follow the steps below.

1. Check local controls

  • Ensure windows are closed
  • Confirm vents / radiators aren't blocked by furniture or equipment

2. Observe and note

  • Record the room number, time of day and what it felt like (for example, ‘very cold hands,’ ‘stuffy,’ ‘air not moving’)

3. Report the issue

Energy and sustainability

Balancing comfort and sustainability help us meet our sustainability goals.

  • Reporting issues help us fix inefficiencies (for example, stuck dampers or leaking valves).
  • Please keep windows closed during the heating/cooling seasons. Open windows can trigger systems to overwork and create uneven temperatures.