Florida is best known for its hot, humid summers and mild winters, but even the Sunshine State isn’t immune to an occasional freeze. When temperatures dip below 32°F, buildings quickly become vulnerable. To help our units – and even regular homeowners – prepare, I reached out to two FPO Maintenance Supervisors, Chad Stephens and Thomas Otto, for their recommendations on how to protect facilities when a cold snap is in the forecast.

Common Issues

According to Chad Stephens, the most common problems that occur in our buildings during the winter season are loss of heating and burst water pipes. One of the best preventive practices for avoiding heating issues is scheduling a heating system inspection before the cold weather arrives. It’s also a good idea to make sure all exterior water lines are properly insulated. Even if they were insulated previously, it’s worth checking them periodically to ensure the insulation hasn’t deteriorated and doesn’t require repair or replacement. These two simple steps can help prevent failures that could temporarily limit or completely disrupt access to the building – and, of course, save us from costly repairs.

Greenhouses and Water Lines

If you work with greenhouses or have waterlines running through pastures, you should pay especially close attention to weather forecasts, as FPO specialists note that these two areas are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Many greenhouses rely on gas-powered heating systems, which require extra attention during freezing conditions to ensure they remain operational and safe. Make sure the propane tank supplying your greenhouse has enough fuel to maintain the proper temperature. Keep in mind that if your tank runs empty, propane suppliers may not always be able to deliver fuel the same day – or even the next day – especially during the winter months when demand is high. Think proactively and order supplies ahead of time when preparing for cold weather.

Air Handling Systems

“Laboratory buildings often require 100% outside air to maintain proper ventilation and safety standards. While this is essential for lab operations, it also makes air handling systems more exposed to cold-weather risks. When temperatures fall below freezing, the coils inside these units can freeze, putting the entire system at risk of damage or shutdown“ says Tom Otto. To prevent disruptions, our FPO team closely monitors system performance, performs preventive maintenance, and ensures emergency protocols are in place during cold snaps. Proactive oversight helps protect equipment, maintain indoor comfort, and support research and teaching activities statewide.

Preventative Maintenance Work Orders

Although FPO does its best to complete all preventative maintenance work orders for heating systems – including greenhouse heaters – our team agrees that the best prevention practice is not waiting until the last minute to submit your own work order request if you notice anything concerning. Work orders submitted in early fall allow the FPO team to thoroughly inspect all systems, including insulated exterior water piping.

You can submit your work order here: https://fpo.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Checklist

To ensure your building stays safe and functional during cold weather, we’ve put together a simple checklist you can use to double-check key areas before temperatures drop:

• Ensure heating units are functioning properly.
• Clean dust from heat strips to prevent odors and potential duct detector alarms.
• Make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly.
• Allow exterior hose bibs to drip.
• Ensure exterior water lines are insulated and that the insulation is not deteriorated.
• Confirm that door and window seals are in good condition.
• If in doubt, please do not wait until the last minute to submit a work order request.

Stay warm, Florida!

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