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375th Civil Engineer Squadron prepares for summer heat

  • Published
  • By 375th Civil Engineer Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In preparation for the upcoming cooling season, the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron will begin the transition period where they switch facilities over from heating to air conditioning. Civil engineers will need to shut down facility heat systems, then start-up and check cooling systems in nearly every base facility.

Each year, depending upon the weather projections, this period is scheduled to begin sometime in May. Cooling systems are typically started during this period if the outdoor temperature is 75 degrees or warmer for a minimum of three consecutive days. This short period provides the 375th CES time to transition major facility systems from heating to cooling. The cool nights and warmer days give civil engineers additional time to make the change-over by allowing facility temperatures to fluctuate a few degrees with outside conditions, warming office spaces during the day and then cooling them at night to help maintain normal room temperatures.

During this transition period, pre-designated mission-critical facilities, computer centers, dormitories and 24-hour facilities will have top priority in getting their systems operational. Civil engineers expect the transition period to take up to 30 days to change-over other base facilities, and all facilities will continue to have fresh air ventilation to eliminate indoor air quality issues.

The transition period to bring cooling systems up and functioning properly in more than 200 base facilities does take time; therefore, as the transition period begins, the base workforce should expect some chilly mornings and they should dress appropriately. Similarly, as the season progresses, they should expect and dress for predicted weather. These simple actions can go a long way toward personal comfort.

Scott temperature standards are 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. During summer months, adjusting temperature setting up one degree typically can save two to three percent on cooling costs. At home as much as 10 percent a year can be saved on heating and cooling bills by turning thermostats back 10 to 15 percent for eight hours. This can be done automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

For more information, call the Civil Engineer Service Desk at 256-2202.