Dear AU Community, 

Every spring, Facilities Management coordinates the semi-annual switch between the university’s heating and cooling systems. Our central plant supplies either heating or cooling to AU’s buildings, but not at the same time. Unlike switching on the air conditioning at home, changing modes across a campus of more than 45 buildings takes several days. 

Learn More About AU's Seasonal Heating Cooling Switchover

Because springtime temperatures in our region can fluctuate greatly, it can be difficult to choose the perfect time to switch from heating to cooling. Facilities Management monitors the forecast closely and selects a time that will reduce—but may not completely prevent—building temperatures from feeling too warm or too cool.

Timing
Based on the current long-term weather forecast:

• The switch to cooling will begin on Monday, April 13.  
• All buildings are expected to have cooling by the end of the day on Saturday, April 18. 

Buildings
This change will affect all main campus buildings, as well as: 

• 4401 Connecticut Ave., NW (WAMU) 
• 4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW 
• 4801 Massachusetts Ave., NW (Spring Valley Building) 

As part of this transition, target temperature settings for buildings will shift from 70°F to 76°F, in line with university policy. 

Contact
If you have questions, please reach out to us. 

• Tam Bui, Manager of Energy Utilities Operations (phone): 202-885-2334 
• 2FIX Customer Response Center 
  • Phone: 202-885-2349  
  • Email: 2fix@american.edu 

For updates and other service notices, please visit the Facilities Management webpage. 

Sincerely, 

Skip Vaughn 
Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management