Whether a classroom, office, or laboratory space, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are serving spaces in every building. While these systems are automated to various degrees, a Facilities team of engineers and technicians manage the different elements of HVAC systems on campus - which control ventilation, air pressure, room temperatures and more. 

When Facilities receives a call about a room that is too hot or too cold, this team investigates and addresses the issue. In other cases, they respond to temperature alarms or investigate issues detected by specialized fault detection and diagnostic (FDD) analytics software. The crew then evaluates the operation of the systems, assigns a level of urgency, and prioritizes the order in which the issue will be resolved. 

In addition to responding to indoor temperature issues, the team has ongoing projects. These often consist of retrofitting and updating legacy control systems, often Pneumatic Control Systems with no remote visibility to modern Direct Digital Controls (DDC). They also work with Facilities' project managers and with Design & Construction Management teams to assure installations and modifications to systems are working properly. 

The team works hard to make sure the campus's buildings are suitable for work and research. They continue to strive for student, staff and animal comfort, prevent temperature-related equipment damage, and research safety. 

FAQs

• What do I do if I feel too hot or too cold in my room?
• If your building is too hot or too cold, please submit a work order via the AggieFacilities online work order system https://aggiefacilities.tririga.com, or contact the Customer Experience Center at 530-752-1655. Temperature issues affecting animals or research are considered emergencies, and we recommend calling to report the issue. Office spaces, which are human comfort, will be addressed on a first come, first serve basis. If you are experiencing discomfort in your space, please submit feedback through TherMOOstat. Every comfort feedback is looked at and potential issues with thermostats or mechanical issues are investigated by a member of our team.
• What should I do if the thermostat is broken?
• If you discover a thermostat that is damaged or does not appear to be functioning please submit a work order via the AggieFacilities online work order system https://aggiefacilities.tririga.com, or contact the Customer Experience Center at 530-752-1655. Thermostat issues affecting animal welfare are considered High Priority and should be reported immediately.
• What is the campus standard for room temperature?
• Room temperature settings vary based on the type of space and the needs of the occupants. Typically spaces are heated to approximately 68-70° F in winter and cooled to 74-76° F in summer, but our goal is to keep people as comfortable and productive as possible without wasting energy.
• Is there a campus policy on the use of space heaters?
• Space heaters are not prohibited at UC Davis. The campus Fire Department permits the use of space heaters that meet campus guidelines (https://safetyservices.ucdavis.edu/safetynet/portable-space-heater-guidelines). However, space heaters are costly in terms of energy use and the maintenance issues they create. Before you get a space heater, carefully consider the following: 
  1. Do you really need one? If your office is consistently too hot or too cold, your first call should be to the Facilities Management Customer Support Center. If your building heating and cooling system is working properly, and the room temperature is a matter of personal preference, then speak to your supervisor about using a space heater. 
  2. Who will pay for the costs associated with the space heater? Any expenses related to the space heater will be departmental expenses, including the purchase of the space heater. If your department pays for utilities, the space heater may add to your energy bill. Unforeseen expenses associated with space heaters are blown electrical circuits, which must be reset –on a recharge basis—by campus electricians. It may be necessary to rewire your facility to handle space heaters, which would also be a departmental expense. To prevent these issues, we recommend you reach out to Facilities (via a work ticket) to evaluate if your circuit can handle a space heater. 
  3. If you are experiencing discomfort in your space, we also recommend you submit feedback through TherMOOstat. Every comfort feedback is looked at and potential issues with thermostats or mechanical issues are investigated by a member of our team.