UPDATE May 16, 2020:

Our team is pleased to report the HVAC Project was safely and successfully completed, and they are very happy to add that AC is now expected to be available when needed.

Going forward, residents can expect AC to come on around an outdoor air temperature of 60 degrees, give or take a few degrees depending on the conditions – sunny, rainy, windy, etc.…  Heating will be expected at outdoor temperatures below 54 degrees, also give or take based on conditions.

REMINDER – IT IS NOT LIKE FLIPPING A SWITCH – When moving from Heating to Cooling, or from Cooling to Heating, the process can take 6 to 8 hours. We cannot run hot water directly through the cooling system, and we cannot run cold water through the heating system. Also, it is bad for the buildings plumbing to undergo too much expansion and contraction in a short period.

SO, for the remainder of the season, please have patience as we work our best to coordinate such transitions.

UPDATE May 2, 2020:

Our AC System Is Ready, and being tested on a limited basis…

One major repair needs to be made to get things up and running smoothly – and actually this impacts both the heating and cooling. At the April 13th Board Meeting, the Board approved the replacement of the main valve serving the heat exchange system. For now, our team is operating on a bypass. However, that can not go on forever. Not just so we can provide AC. The bypass can not handle the changes in temperature as the heat goes on and off, and as we begin efforts to switch to AC when whether calls for it.

Actually today, May 2nd, due to the warm weather our team is attempting a switch to cooling over the bypass. This will hopefully make AC available in the afternoon and evening, and will allow our team to assess the cooling plant as it is brought online for the first time.

HOWEVER – to continue providing either HEATING or AIR CONDITIONING, the valve replacement is being scheduled. This will take approximately 24 hours to complete over two days, and is TENTATIVELY being planned to take place between Tuesday May 12th and Thursday May 14th. Once we’ve identified a more certain window of time, an update will be posted and our team will do a door drop to alert all residents.

Heat may very well be needed on these days, but will be unavailable. However, this work needs to be done to avoid possible damage to the bypass and heat exchange system. Thankfully, we were able to avoid needing such a repair mid-winter. But, we will move forward before it is mid-summer. On these days, residents may need to grab a blanket or sweater and “bundle up” if it is cool out. If that is the case or not, we must complete this repair to avoid more unpleasant unplanned outages going forward, or other unnecessary consequences.

More to follow, as more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL POST:

AC Season Around The Corner

Preparations are well underway for Air Conditioning service, and in fact we only have a few more things to do in order to get our cooling plant ready to start humming. The Board approved repairs to a main valve on our heat exchange system, which is being scheduled. When this is done, there will be notice as it requires both heating and cooling to be off. After that time, we should be able to switch as needed between heating and cooling.

Given the time of year, heating remains our priority, consistent with requirements of Chicago building codes. Once our system is ready though, we expect to have cooling available should the weather call for it. We expect by June, the heating plant will be taken out of service for seasonal maintenance, and the system will default to cooling for the duration of the summer.

As it stands with the present weather outlook, heating will need to remain available most days, though it may go off on warmer days. Once the AC is ready to go, cooling will come on when the sun is out at around 60 degrees and higher and heating when outdoor temps are in the mid to low 50s or colder. This range of temps is typically where we see the demand fluctuate this time of year. We have sensors throughout the interior and exterior of the building, including the hallways which usually give us a pretty good idea of temps in PT homes. So our staff will monitor those very closely should we need to switch manually or make adjustments.

Owner and resident feedback is always welcome and greatly appreciated. BUT REMEMBER – it is not like flipping a switch. It can take 6 to 8 hours to safely transition between heating and cooling. While it can be a challenge with how quickly the weather can change, and how quickly the water temperature in the pipes can transition, we realize full sun during the day turns half of the building into a green house. So we ask for your patience in such conditions.

While it will not be 100% comfortable for 100% of our residents, 100% of the time, resident comments and observations can help us make adjustments and improve conditions as much as possible. E-mail us at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com, or call the office 773-769-3250.