As many of you are aware, the Chicagoland area is experiencing extremely hot temperatures with high humidity over the next few days and highs expected to reach the upper 90s today through Wednesday. The forecast projects conditions that are well above standard design conditions and will test the limits of the air-conditioning capabilities of your equipment. It is important to make sure your building is prepared. We recommend taking the following steps to ready your building, as applicable:
- Override unoccupied and overnight setbacks to occupied.
- Avoid scheduled shutdowns of systems.
- Avoid turning air-conditioning related equipment off.
- Maintain continuous operation of all cooling related pumps.
- Minimize infiltration by keeping doors, windows and other openings sealed and shut.
- Keep blinds and shades closed on windows during the day to avoid direct sunlight.
- Perform a system check of all air-conditioning critical equipment.
- Verify the operation of all backup or redundant air-conditioning equipment not normally used.
- Ensure makeup water feeds to cooling towers are fully functional and water levels are able to be maintained.
- Ensure condensate drains and traps have been checked and are currently functional.
- Proactively change filters in all fan coils and air-handling equipment.
- Enhance dehumidification by lowering cooling coil discharge air temperatures and slowing down fan speed where necessary. Ensure equipment is operating within manufacturer guidelines. Adjustments to DX equipment should be made by a service contractor authorized by the manufacturer.
- Set all thermostats to typical design indoor conditions of 74°F-75°F.
- Sub-cool event spaces and venues prior to scheduled events.
Please contact Elara’s Commercial and Multifamily Practice Leader, Matt Swanson, at mswanson@elaraeng.com to obtain assistance in preparing your building.
