For universities and colleges, HVAC maintenance is a fact of life. Academic buildings, residence halls, libraries, research labs, and athletic facilities rely on climate systems that must be maintained, repaired, or replaced periodically. These projects are often scheduled during academic breaks or shoulder seasons—but even planned outages can create significant challenges for campus operations.
When HVAC systems go offline, buildings can experience rapid temperature drops, humidity spikes, and changes in air quality, which disrupt research, damage sensitive materials, and compromise the comfort of students and staff. The scale and diversity of campus facilities make this even more complex. Unlike a single office building, a university campus might include everything from 19th-century lecture halls to state-of-the-art laboratories—all with different environmental needs.
That’s where REIC Specialty comes in. Our temporary heating and dehumidification solutions help campuses maintain safe and stable environments during HVAC maintenance and renovations—minimizing disruptions, protecting assets, and keeping critical spaces operational.
Why Heating & Moisture Control Matter During HVAC Maintenance
When permanent systems are offline—even temporarily—campus buildings can become vulnerable to rapid environmental changes. These fluctuations can have far-reaching consequences:
- Protecting Building Infrastructure
Temperature and humidity control protect building materials from damage. Without heating and dehumidification, condensation can form on interior surfaces, leading to warped wood, damaged drywall, and corrosion on metal components.
- MaintainingIndoor Air Quality
Excess moisture fuels microbial growth, particularly in older buildings with hidden cavities and historic finishes. Poor air quality can pose health risks and increase remediation costs.
- Preserving Sensitive Assets
Campus libraries, archives, laboratories, and performance spaces often house materials that are sensitive to temperature and humidity. Uncontrolled conditions can damage books, instruments, art, research samples, and lab equipment.
- Supporting Ongoing Activities
Even during HVAC maintenance, campuses rarely shut down entirely. Summer classes, research projects, events, and housing operations continue. Temporary heating and moisture control ensure that operations remain uninterrupted.
- Avoiding Costly Delays
Renovation schedules are tight. Moisture delays in construction or maintenance can ripple through project timelines, pushing back reopenings and increasing costs.
Common HVAC Maintenance Scenarios on Campus
Universities face a unique set of maintenance scenarios that require environmental control:
- Central Plant Shutdowns: Scheduled over breaks for major upgrades, these can affect multiple buildings simultaneously.
- Air Handler Replacements: Individual buildings lose climate control during air handler replacements, which can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
- Chiller or Boiler Maintenance: Seasonal transitions sometimes require temporary heating or drying to bridge system downtime.
- Renovations & Retrofits: Updating aging infrastructure often means sections of buildings are exposed to uncontrolled outdoor air for extended periods.
- Emergency Repairs: Sudden failures during academic sessions require rapid stabilization to avoid class cancellations and damage.
Each scenario has different environmental control needs, depending on the building’s size, use, and maintenance scope.
REIC Specialty’s Solutions for Universities & Colleges
REIC Specialty offers tailored, scalable temporary heating and dehumidification solutions designed to maintain stable conditions in campus facilities during HVAC maintenance, system replacement, or downtime.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Best for: Large buildings, libraries, research labs, and spaces with high moisture loads or cool ambient temperatures.
- Highly effective in low-temperature, high-humidity conditions, making them ideal for fall or spring shutdowns.
- Perfect for protecting libraries, archives, or historic buildings where moisture control is critical.
Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
Best for: Classrooms, residence halls, and office spaces.
- Portable and energy-efficient.
- Maintain comfortable interior humidity levels during maintenance without major infrastructure setup.
Industrial Heating Solutions
Types: Indirect-fired and flameless heaters.
Advantages:
- Indirect-fired heaters deliver clean, dry air ideal for occupied spaces or sensitive environments.
- Flameless heaters offer exceptional safety and performance for laboratories, performance halls, and buildings with strict air quality requirements.
These systems maintain comfort for students, faculty, and staff—while safeguarding pipes, materials, and building integrity during heating outages.
Integrated Heating & Dehumidification
Many HVAC maintenance projects require both heating and moisture control. Heating alone can increase humidity and cause condensation. Dehumidification alone may be insufficient in cold weather. REIC’s integrated systems provide balanced temperature and humidity control, ensuring stable conditions across large or complex buildings.
Turnkey Setup and Monitoring
Our experienced teams handle everything—from site assessment and equipment sizing to installation and continuous monitoring. We strategically place equipment to ensure even airflow, avoiding hot or cold spots, and provide remote monitoring to maintain optimal performance throughout the maintenance period.
Scenario: Protecting a University Library During HVAC Replacement
A Midwestern university is planning a three-week replacement of its HVAC system in the main library during winter break. While the building will be closed to the public, thousands of rare books and manuscripts will remain inside. Without proper temperature and humidity control, the collection is at serious risk of damage.
REIC’s Solution:
REIC Specialty would install desiccant dehumidifiers to maintain a stable relative humidity throughout winter conditions. The team would deploy indirect-fired heaters, ducted strategically through existing air handling chases to maintain consistent interior temperatures. Sensors and remote monitoring would be set up to continuously track environmental conditions across all floors, while coordination with the facilities team would ensure rapid adjustments as weather fluctuates.
The Result: The project would be completed without environmental excursions—materials would remain protected, and the library would reopen on schedule with climate conditions fully stabilized.
Best Practices for Universities & Colleges
To ensure smooth HVAC maintenance projects and protect campus assets, facility and property managers should:
- Plan Early
Coordinate temporary heating and dehumidification strategies during project planning, not after shutdowns begin. - Assess Building Sensitivities
Identify spaces—such as labs, libraries, or historic structures—that require tighter environmental controls. - Size Systems Correctly
Large or complex buildings require equipment matched to their load, not just their square footage. REIC provides engineering-based sizing to avoid under- or over-capacity issues. - Integrate Moisture & Heating Control
Use both heating and drying solutions to prevent condensation, mold, or structural damage. - Monitor Continuously
Deploy sensors to track temperature and humidity during outages. Continuous monitoring allows a quick response to changing conditions and provides documentation for compliance. - Communicate with Stakeholders
Inform faculty, students, and staff of maintenance plans and temporary measures. Clear communication builds confidence and minimizes disruptions.
The REIC Specialty Advantage
Universities and colleges across North America trust REIC Specialty to keep their campuses safe, stable, and fully operational during HVAC maintenance and upgrades. Our proven expertise and comprehensive service make the difference:
- 24/7 Rapid Response: Ready for both planned maintenance and unexpected system outages.
- Decades of Experience: Deep knowledge of large, complex academic environments and sensitive spaces.
- Turnkey Service: From initial planning and equipment setup to on-site monitoring and final removal.
- Integrated Solutions: Combined heating and dehumidification systems tailored to each building’s unique needs.
- Nationwide Coverage: 19 locations across North America for fast, dependable support anywhere on campus.
- Monitoring & Documentation: Continuous tracking and reporting to ensure compliance, preservation, and peace of mind.
Keep Your Campus on Track During HVAC Maintenance
HVAC maintenance and system upgrades are necessary—but they don’t have to disrupt campus life or put facilities at risk. With REIC Specialty as your partner, you can maintain stable indoor environments, protect sensitive assets, and ensure smooth operations during any maintenance project.
Whether you’re planning a central plant shutdown or responding to an unexpected failure, REIC Specialty delivers the expertise, equipment, and responsiveness your campus needs.
Be proactive—plan ahead before the next outage. Contact REIC Specialty today to discuss a customized HVAC maintenance support plan or emergency response strategy for your university.
