Spruce College House resident Garrett Wentzell woke up in the middle of the night last Friday feeling chilly. He decided to turn on his heater, but had no idea how much some warmth would cost him.
"Black, dirty, nasty hot steaming water started spewing out the top of the heater," Wentzell said.
Soon after, water was gushing out from the bottom as well.
"The ceiling started to crack and bits of it fell down," Wentzell added.
By the time maintenance personnel arrived, 90 minutes after the emergency call was placed, the Wharton freshman's floor was severely damaged.
"It was a two-inch flood," he said. "All the electronics were ruined."
Wentzell was told by the electrician who attended the problem that the flood was caused by an old coil in the heater. Wentzell's room remains without heat, and Facilities Services workers estimate that it could take a week for the replacement coil to arrive.
Trudy Bruni, an employee at the Philadelphia branch of the Trane store -- the company that manufactures the water source heat pumps used in the Quadrangle -- said that the problems with the units could be due to a number of factors.
"If [maintenance workers] are not cleaning things out, you'll have problems," Bruni said. "The duration of the coils can depend on the quality of water going through it. If it has a lot of minerals, then you're bound to have difficulties."
The heating units in the Quad were installed during the major $75 million renovation which was completed in 2002, according to Locust Area Director of Facilities Betsey Robinson said.
She said the University has no plans to replace the current units.
Wentzell is meeting with an insurance company in the next few days, and they will decide if he will be reimbursed for damages.
Wentzell and his roommates were offered a room in the Sheraton Hotel, but declined.
Sheraton Guest Service Manager John Ashbrook estimated that so far the inclement winter has brought about a dozen students to the hotel this winter.
