NYCHA Now

NYCHANow chronicles the hard work of the men and women who make the New York City Housing Authority run, reporting the latest news and happenings.

NYCHA Now
Heat season requirements
October 2020 

Heating Season Began October 1

Michael Corwin

From October 1 through May 31, New York City building owners must maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. when it’s below 55 degrees outside. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., indoor temperature must be at least 62 degrees regardless of the temperature outside. Hot water must be kept at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees at the source year-round.  

NYCHA’s Heating Management Services Department remains committed to providing residents with the critical services of heat and hot water through the heating season. 

NYCHA is in the process of modernizing heating controls at 66 developments. With the new controls, residents at these developments may have a different heating experience than they had in the past. Apartments that used to be typically overheated are now at a more comfortable range of 72-74 degrees during the day and 69-71 degrees at night, with the heat coming on in cycles to prevent overheating, underheating and save energy. Residents at these buildings no longer need to open their windows to let out excess heat. 

“At buildings with the new heating controls, some apartments have indoor temperature sensors, which are thermostats that help us determine the distribution of heat in the entire building, instead of relying on the outdoor temperature,” said Edwin Mendez, NYCHA’s Acting Deputy Director of Energy and Sustainability Programs. “These controls help us more accurately determine what the temperature is inside the building and help ensure that everyone in the building has consistent heat so that they can be comfortable during the winter season.” 

Here are some additional tips to help keep apartments feeling comfortable this winter: 

  • Keep windows fully closed, top to bottom, because open or leaky windows can make you feel cold even if the heating system is working as it should. If they feel air, residents should contact NYCHA. 
     
  • Residents should consider removing their window air conditioner, or covering it, for the winter. Leaving an air conditioner installed in the window is the same as having a six-inch hole in your wall. If residents cannot remove and store their air conditioner for the winter, they should consider insulating it with a cover and weather-stripping around the sides to reduce cold air coming in. 
     
  • Move furniture away from radiators or baseboards to keep the air moving freely. If radiators/baseboards are blocked by furniture, they will only heat what is in front of them and not the rest of the room. 
  • Open the hand valve on the radiator. Turn the knob to the left to open it (more heat) and the right to close it (less heat). 
     
  • Lower blinds or draw curtains at night. Warm air hitting a cold window will cause a draft, even if there’s no cold air coming in from the outside. The curtains or blinds prevent drafts. 
     
  • Keep hallway and stairwell windows closed. Many are left open year-round, letting in cold air all winter. 

Are residents having an issue with heat or hot water? 
 
Residents experiencing issues with heat or hot water should call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or report the issue via the MyNYCHA mobile app or web version. They should also contact NYCHA when:  

  • The temperature is out of range: The temperature in their apartment should never fall below 68 degrees during the day or 62 degrees at night. When residents call, they should tell us what the temperature reading is, and in which room. 
  • They have hot pipes and cold radiators: If the riser pipes are hot and the radiator is cold, first make sure the hand valve is open (to the left). If the valve is open and the radiator is still cold, residents should tell NYCHA staff and ask them to change the radiator trap. 
     
  • The window is not closing properly: Residents should request window repair if the window is not closing all the way or if air is coming in above, below, or between the sashes. 
     
  • Steam is leaking into the apartment: Residents should ask NYCHA staff to fix all steam leaks immediately. 
     
  • The building’s front entrance door does not fully close. 

Residents should call the CCC at 718-707-7771 or use MyNYCHA to report any issues with heat or hot water.