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Residential Communities  - HVAC FAQ

1) Does my room have heating, air conditioning or both?

Community	Heating	Cooling	Community	Heating	Cooling
College-in-the-Woods			Mountainview College
Mohawk	Yes	Yes	Cascade	Yes	Yes
Onondaga	Yes	No	Hunter	Yes	Yes
Cayuga	Yes	No	Marcy	Yes	Yes
Seneca	Yes	No	Windham	Yes	Yes
Oneida	Yes	No
Hinman College			Newing College
Smith	Yes	No	Bingham	Yes	Yes
Roosevelt	Yes	No	Broome	Yes	Yes
Lehman	Yes	No	Delaware	Yes	Yes
Hughes	Yes	No	Endicott	Yes	Yes
Cleveland	Yes	Yes
Apartment Communities			Dickinson Community
Brandywine	Yes	No	Digman	Yes	Yes
Nanticoke	Yes	No	Johnson	Yes	Yes
Glenwood	Yes	No	O'Connor	Yes	Yes
Choconut	Yes	No	Rafuse	Yes	Yes
Saratoga	Yes	Yes	Old Rafuse	Yes	No
Rockland	Yes	Yes	Old Digman	Yes	No
All other Hillside buildings	Yes	No

2) I am COLD or HOT?     

• In the winter months (typically Oct 15th through April 15th), your space should be maintained between 68 deg F and 73 deg F.  Most buildings are heated with hot water, and you may be able to hear when the heating system is operating. 
• In the summer months (typically April 15th through October 15th), your space should be maintained between 72 and 76 deg F in buildings that have air conditioning. 
• Things to verify before submitting a work order for a temperature concern.
  • Is there a window open? This will cause room temperatures to drift beyond the setpoints listed above and can kick heating or cooling on.
  • Make sure there is no heat source directly under the wall thermostat.  This can include coffee pots, hot water kettles, refrigerators, or appliances that emit heat. 
  • Verify there are no obstructions for your heating or cooling equipment.  This can include beds or furniture in front of fin-tube radiation.  This will disturb the airflow of heat or cooling (convection).  

If you have double checked the list above and your temperature continues to be outside of the ranges, please submit a work order on , so that a Facilities Management staff member can verify operation of your HVAC equipment.  

3)  What if my room gets too warm before cooling season starts? 

• The Facilities Management department does not fill our outdoor cooling equipment with water until temperature is consistently above freezing.  There may be a few warmer than normal days between October 15th and April 15th.  If your room is too warm do the following to help:
  • Open window.  A fan can also improve the comfort level.   Windows are okay to use during the “shoulder” seasons.  Typically, September 1st through December 1st and April 1st through June 1st.  Windows should not be used outside this window. 
  • Minimize the heat generated by electronic equipment, kitchen appliances or lights.  This will add more heat to the space.  

4)  What if my room gets too cold before heating season starts? 

• The Facilities Management department checks weather forecast to adjust the start date of the heating season accordingly.  Usually, the heating season will not turn on unless the daytime and nighttime temperatures are consistently below 55 degree F.  If your room is too cold before the heat is turned on, do the following to help:
  • Keep the windows closed.
  • Dress warmer.  Add extra layers and blankets for comfort. 
• Facilities Management department DOES NOT recommend using a space heater in your room for the following reasons:
  • The space heater will cause your heat to shutoff in your room and make conditions worse in most cases.  
  • Space heaters are a prohibited item per Binghamton University’s Housing Agreement.  

5)   If I can’t see my room temperature on the thermostat, is it still working?

• Yes, the Facilities Management department can remotely see individual room temperatures across the residential communities.  The HVAC system will continue to control and maintain temperatures. 
  • If you don’t believe your sensor is reading correctly, please submit a work order on Residential life website so that a Facilities Management staff member can verify operation.

6)  Can I adjust my room temperature setpoint? 

• No, the Facilities Management department can remotely set individual room temperatures across the dorm communities.   
•  Heating setpoint is 70 Deg across the board.  Acceptable ranges: 68 Deg F to 73 Deg F.  
• Cooling setpoint is 73 Deg F across the board with buildings that have cooling.  Acceptable ranges: 72 Deg F to 76 Deg F.  
• If you have double checked the list above and your temperature continues to be outside of the ranges, please submit a work order on Residential life website so that a Facilities Management staff member can verify operation of your HVAC equipment.