20 Apr When to Flip the Switch
The most asked question to all Naylor technicians each spring and fall is when a manager should switch their heating/cooling system over. The City of Toronto states that all landlords are responsible for providing heat to a minimum air temperature of 21 degrees Celsius from September 15th to June 1st. So, where does this leave managers to decide when to make the change? Managers fear that turning the system off too early one way or the other will prompt a stream of after-hours calls from irritated and overheated residents on a surprise scorcher of an October afternoon or cold residents on a chilly September fall morning.
In most buildings, the chiller is a seasonal device used only to cool in warmer months. However, in a few buildings, there is what is known as a 4-pipe system with one loop for heating and a separate loop for cooling; therefore, heating and cooling is available year-round. Buildings with a 2-pipe system can only offer heating or cooling, requiring a switchover in the building system. Due to the initial installation cost of a 4-pipe system, most managers can expect their building to have a 2-pipe system.
The period in the spring and fall where the outside temperature fluctuates between hot and cold is called the shoulder season, and there is only one HVAC source of either heated or chilled water. Switching a building’s heating or cooling system takes a few hours to complete, and typically, the reversal of the heating/cooling system is not performed due to the cost of bringing the technician back to reverse what they have just completed. Also, the uncertainty of the weather and how long the varying temperatures will last is another reason not to make any changes.
It can be challenging to find the correct time to make the switch as managers are trying to balance all resident’s needs and whatever Mother Nature may throw at the situation! All residents have different comfort levels with their heating and cooling systems, so managers will inherently never get it entirely right and satisfy everyone. Since the changeover dates can often be controversial, deciding when to make the change is something the manager should discuss with the Board.
The spring and fall seasons are characterized by fluctuations in the temperature outside, which is known as the shoulder season. There is only one HVAC system in a building to provide either heated or chilled water. The process of switching a building’s heating or cooling system takes a few hours, and typically the reversing of the system is not conducted because it is more expensive to bring a technician back to reverse what they just did. It is also hard to predict the weather and how long the different temperatures will last so once you commit to make the switchover it is best to stick with that decision.
Finding the right time for the switch can be challenging because managers are trying to balance all resident’s needs and whatever Mother Nature throws at them! There will never be a way to satisfy everyone with heating and cooling systems since every resident has a different comfort level. Because switchover dates can be tricky, the manager should consult with the board before making the change.
Managers can help limit the number of complaints received from residents by communicating a few simple points:
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- Communicate to residents when the switch over will happen and why it must happen when it does.
- Explain that this season is called the “shoulder season.” Weather-wise we can’t guarantee what we will get and that there may be a day that is warmer or cooler than expected, but it will be short-lived, and the heating/cooling system can’t be changed for just one or two days of varying temperatures.
- Prompt residents to keep a blanket/sweater/fan close by to help if the temperature varies to stay comfortable.
Naylor technicians will ensure that the necessary maintenance on the heating/cooling equipment is completed and that everything is ready for the switch over in the spring/fall. Once the system is prepared and when the weather changes, it is much easier to make the switchover on short notice. Managers need to remember that all condos like to switch over around the same time, and with the number of condos that Naylor services in the GTHA, planning, and scheduling are essential to have your building switched around the time you would like. We encourage managers to call Naylor dispatch at 905-338-8000 as soon as possible to schedule your spring heating switchover.
This is also an excellent time for managers to schedule their annual in-suite HVAC inspections and to remind all residents on the importance of changing the filters in their in-suite HVAC equipment. Remind them that filters should be changed every three months, and if they smoke or have pets, they will want to change their filters more frequently. If you need to purchase filters to make available for residents to buy, let us know, and we can assist you with this.
Naylor offers in-suite inspection services for HVAC equipment. If you want more information on this service, please speak with your operations manager or contact Kelly Halkett at khalkett@naylorbp.com or 647-828-3789.
