Questions arise every year about how heat works in the halls. University Housing follows the same heating and cooling policy as the rest of campus.
We strive to keep temperatures within the comfort range of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
We began the process of turning heat systems on within our two-pipe residential facilities in mid-October this year. Most of our housing facilities use systems that accommodate either heating or cooling, but not both.
The process takes a couple of days to allow our systems to slowly and safely adjust from the cold water we use for cooling to the hot water we use for heating.
Keep in mind that an unseasonably warm day in November or December can result in temperatures outside the preferred 68-72-degree Fahrenheit range.
If your student’s room gets too hot, please tell them to adjust their thermostat and not to open a window. The cold air from outside will signal to the thermostat to provide more heat to their space, creating the opposite of the desired effect.
Our larger residence halls have hydronic systems. These systems must be free of obstructions so air can flow through and around them. Remind your student not to pile clothing or towels on them. They should not push their bed against them or push the carpet against the bottom of the heater. Heating will be limited if that happens.
There are wide variations in personal comfort levels based on individual preference and physical condition of residence space. Everything from age of the building, the location of the building, type of heating units and other factors can sometimes impact the regulating of comfortable temperatures to individual rooms.
In some cases, a room’s proximity to mechanical areas or steam/hot water lines makes it challenging to regulate room temperatures. For others, a southern exposure and ample windows provide added heat to rooms.
CONTACT HOUSING
Should your student experience any extreme conditions outside that range, they can submit an online FIXIT request at http://housing.uark.edu/fixit or contact their Coordinator for Residence Education (CRE), or the Housing Maintenance Service Center at 479-575-7005.