Air Conditioning Pilot in Select Halls

A pilot program for the 2025-2026 academic year allows for residents of selected rooms in non-air conditioned halls to bring their own private air conditioning unit. Consulting with Facility Services regarding electrical concerns, specific rooms were selected. Room occupant's participation in this program is voluntary and it is not required to have an air conditioner in these select rooms.

Timeline of pilot

The pilot begins July 25, 2025 and ends May 15, 2026. These selected historic buildings were not designed to accommodate air conditioning nor modern electrical demands and therefore have finite limits of power available. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the college will complete an evaluation of each building and room's operation under the pilot's increased electrical load to determine if the program can continue as-is, can expand, should be limited, or canceled in future years. 

Machines allowed during pilot

Private air conditioner units in pilot rooms must be floor-resting exhaust tube models due to ease of student installation. No private window-mounted units are allowed due to safety/stability concerns when not professionally installed. The college will not provide professional installation for private air conditioning units and will require removal of any private unit mounted in a window, which may result in fines.

Recommended machine features

Considering student's busy schedules, the high Iowa humidity, and the desire to prevent damage, the following features are highly recommended but not required:

1. Dealing with condensation build up...
   1. Units with an independent water pump to force condensation out a window through a tube
   2. Am exhaust tube that both expels heat and moisture in a mist-like way
   3. A water bucket that can be emptied manually
   4. Units with automatic shut-off if it can no longer drain water
   5. AVOID drainage tubes that only use gravity to expel condensation, these rely on floor drains
2. For best efficiency...
   1. An adjustable window plate (for exhaust tubes) to fit any window width
   2. Double-hoses where one intakes outside air and one expels inside air

Recommended additional tools:

1. To avoid window damage, a manual level to ensure the window shuts flat on the adjustable window plate and not at an angle which may damage the window's springs and metal track
2. Painters tape to seal gaps, which is less tacky than other tapes but also strong
3. A pan or container for the unit to sit on until you are sure

Proper use and care

Personal air conditioning units may fill with water in humid climates. Depending on the machine, there are several ways to drain them periodically. If you are unsure if a machine will need draining, read the manual to learn how to drain it and prepare to check for water during your first days using it on campus. Further protect your room by placing the AC unit on top of a pan, plastic lid, or other water-proof item that can hold water in case you don't notice it dripping before it's too late.

Watch this video to learn about how units gain water and how to drain.

Portable air conditioning units need periodic cleaning. You may notice when the performance degrades. Watch this video to learn about what parts to clean such as ports, filters, and hoses.

Risk and liability

Use of a personal unit means being financially responsible to repair any damage it may cause. Possible risks include, but are not limited to:

• Water damage from puddles/condensation from improper draining
• Window opening/closing mechanism damage from vertical windows closed at an angle and not straight/level
• Pests entering the room from improper window sealing
• Power draw exceeding the building's electrical limit resulting in power outages and the need to replace the machine with a smaller one or immediate reduction of the program

Rooms in the pilot