Environmental Sustainability > Energy Conservation Guidelines

Temperature Guidelines — To maintain reasonable comfort and lower energy expenditures, the university has established the following standards for comfort heating and cooling. Summer thermostat settings (air conditioning) are to be 74-76° F. Winter settings (heating) are to be 68-70° F. Exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the Director of Plant Operations.

Building Resource Management — Windows and exterior doors should be kept closed during the heating season and during the summer in those areas that have mechanical cooling or window air conditioners. Every member of the university community should assume the responsibility of closing windows, turning off office equipment when not in use, shutting off the lights when leaving a room and turning off personal (desktop) computers when out of the office for more than a week. One should not assume that someone else will do it. Energy management devices and strategies will continue to be added. Schedulers of classes, meetings, and other campus activities should endeavor to minimize energy use. Evening classes should be concentrated in the fewest buildings possible, and where appropriate, the buildings used should be those that already have late night temperature setback. Use of stairs rather than elevators, except for the physically challenged and persons transporting heavy equipment or materials, is encouraged.

Lighting — Interior lighting will be fluorescent, whenever possible. New energy-saving fixtures, lamps and ballasts will be used to replace existing less efficient lighting whenever economically feasible and appropriate. Exterior lighting will be PL or metal halide (metal halide is preferred) whenever possible, and will meet minimum current safety requirements. Decorative lighting will be kept to a minimum. Lighting levels recommended by the most recent edition of the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Lighting Handbook shall be used as guidelines.

Space Heaters — Use of a space heater must be approved in advance by the Director of Plant Operations. Whether they are purchased by the university or personal property, two issues affect the use of space heaters in campus buildings — fire safety and energy efficiency. All space heaters used on campus must be approved for fire safety, as classified by the National Fire Protection Association. No liquid fueled space heaters (e.g., kerosene heaters) shall be used in any residential, office, classroom or research buildings. Some electric space heaters also pose an unacceptable fire hazard. All space heaters must meet the following four specifications: Heaters must (1) be UL approved, (2) have elements that are protected from contact, (3) be tilt-proof (when tipped over, heater goes off), and (4) be thermostat-controlled. The issue of energy efficiency is also important — electric space heaters are a very costly means of heating. If a member of the campus community feels that a space heater is necessary for adequate warmth, this may indicate that the central heating system needs repair. The Maintenance Department should be consulted if the central heating system is incapable of meeting comfort requirements. Maintenance should also be contacted if a space heater is to be used to offset excessive air conditioning. Heating and cooling are not allowed simultaneously in the same space for the sole purpose of achieving comfort. Excessive cooling of a space on campus below the summertime University Temperature Guidelines should be reported to Plant Operations so that air-conditioning levels can be adjusted. 

Window Air Conditioning Units — Window air conditioning units may be used in buildings that do not have central air conditioning. Window units that have temperature control must follow the summer University Temperature Guidelines. Additionally, operating a unit in air conditioning mode when the outside air temperature is below 50° will quickly damage the unit. The Director of Plant Operations must approve a new installation or replacement of a window unit. Specific petitions for installation will be reviewed only after Plant Operations has determined that the primary heating/cooling source is not capable of meeting University Temperature Guidelines.

Switchover from Heating to Cooling — Plant Operations personnel perform the required changeover from heating to air-conditioning in the Spring. Because of the varying equipment installed throughout campus, buildings must be changed over individually. Plant Operations performs the changeover on the basis of priorities established to (1) provide comfort to students living in residence halls, (2) maintain required temperatures to protect equipment and research in progress, and (3) serve the greatest number of individuals and activities. Air conditioning may not begin until outside temperature has reached 75°F for seven consecutive days. Temperature projections are also considered. The wide swings in temperature during the Spring of the year and the difficulty in switching between heating and cooling make this policy necessary. Special problems or hardships with this policy should be addressed to the Executive Director of University Administration.

Switchover from Cooling to Heating — Plant Operations personnel perform required changeover from air-conditioning to heating in the Fall. Because of the varying equipment installed throughout campus, buildings must be changed over individually. Plant Operations performs the changeover on the basis of priorities established to (1) provide comfort to students living in residence halls, (2) maintain required temperatures to protect equipment and research in progress, and (3) serve the greatest number of individuals and activities. Heating may not begin until the high outside air temperature has dropped below at least 55° F for seven consecutive days. Temperature projections are also considered. The wide swings in temperature during the Fall of the year have made this policy necessary. Special problems or hardships with this policy should be addressed to the Executive Director of University Administration.

Holiday Periods — A period of closure for the university offers a great opportunity to save money on utilities that can be spent in other areas. Past history has shown that very few people occupy the buildings for any substantial time during the holidays. With this in mind, buildings will be only minimally heated/cooled during holiday periods. The exception to the policy will be buildings that contain special collections or sensitive equipment, or buildings that are officially open during the holidays. A building will not be officially open just because a few people may want to work during the holidays. Requests for exceptions to this policy with justification should be addressed to the Executive Director of University Administration.

New Construction/Renovation — The university will seek to reduce future energy costs in new facility construction and renovation whenever feasible. Current standards outlined in ASHRAE Standard No. 90.1 Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings except Low Rise Residential Buildings will be followed as closely as possible. Additionally, all city and state regulations will be followed. All planning for major construction and equipment purchase/installation must include energy life cycle costing. As resources become available, it is recommended that the university develop and implement design standards for new construction to include energy efficiency.

Water — Conservation of water is also important. Any leaks in restrooms, kitchens or radiators should be immediately reported to the maintenance department. Continuous standing water outside could be an indication of a leaking pipe and this should be reported to the maintenance department as well.