More information from the Cambridge Housing Authority:
Massachusetts sanitary code requires residential buildings to maintain the ability to provide heat through May 31. While the heat is currently not running at LBJ Apartments, CHA must maintain the ability to provide heat if temperatures require it during the heating season.
Understanding resident concerns during today’s unusually warm temperatures, CHA took several mitigation steps to support residents throughout the day, including setting up air-conditioned cooling areas in the lobby and community spaces, distributing fans, water, Gatorade, freeze pops, and ice cream, and encouraging residents to spend time in cooler common areas. Staff also conducted outreach encouraging residents to stay hydrated, check on neighbors, and contact management if they needed assistance.
We absolutely understand residents’ frustration and discomfort today. Our focus has been on balancing resident comfort, resident safety, and our legal obligation to maintain the ability to provide heat during the heating season while supporting residents as proactively as possible.
To be clear, CHA understands and shares residents’ frustration with today’s temperatures, and if we had the ability to make a different operational decision safely and legally under state code, we would.
LBJ operates on a two-pipe heating and cooling system, which means the building cannot provide heat and air conditioning simultaneously. The physical conversion from heating mode to cooling mode is not immediate. The turnover process takes approximately 2.5 to 3 days to complete, and once the building is converted to cooling, it cannot quickly switch back to heat if temperatures suddenly drop.
Rapid temperature swings during New England Spring weather can create significant operational challenges for older two-pipe heating and cooling systems, particularly in elderly high-rise buildings. While today’s temperatures are unusually warm, overnight temperatures later this week are forecast to fall into the mid-40s on Thursday, and some elderly residents will have their heat on at LBJ.
Many older multifamily buildings in Cambridge and throughout the region either do not have central air conditioning at all or operate on similar two-pipe heating and cooling systems, which can create difficult operational challenges during rapidly changing spring temperatures.
CHA would welcome additional and reliable flexibility within the sanitary code for older two-pipe buildings so property owners could plan for and make weather-based operational decisions during unpredictable spring conditions.
Last night, the Public Health Department granted code relief allowing property owners and managers to discontinue heat service as of today; however, due to the 2.5 to 3 day turnover process required to convert from heating to cooling, CHA is not able to transition the system in time to provide air conditioning during today’s or tomorrow’s heat.
While the agency continues to engage with our living communities on ways to stay cool, residents are also encouraged to visit the City’s Extreme Heat Page for information on staying cool around Cambridge, including cooling locations and heat safety resources.
For assistance during normal business hours, residents should contact the LBJ Management Office. For after hours support, CHA’s main line (617-864-3020) will connect to the emergency answering service for any immediate concerns.
For emergencies, please dial 9-11.