Campus Notice

Conserve energy during winter break

In preparation for the end of the semester and the Holiday break, Facilities Services staff will be inspecting campus facilities to ensure they are secured properly from the winter weather elements to prevent freeze damage and loss of property.

While performing this task these staff members will also conduct an operational check on the facilities internal space thermostats and ensure they are set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit in accordance with the Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505.

Our campus thermostats are either electronically or manually controlled. In about 60 percent of the newer/renovated facilities they are electronically controlled via the campus Building Automation Control system.

For those manual thermostats that we inspect and verify their setting, we will be placing a green dot on them once completed. The green dot is to demonstrate our presence, the university's environmental commitment, and to allow the occupants to know they are in control of their space temperature for both unoccupied and occupied periods.

We ask everyone who plans to be away during this period to review the following checklist in an effort to conserve energy and, more importantly, help us preserve the environment.

Have you turned off all your electronic devices and personal computer equipment?
Have you unplugged your battery chargers?
Is all of your lab equipment turned off and properly secured?
Are all of your suites' copiers, printers, and electronic devices turned off?
Is all of the common way and task lighting turned off or reduced?
Are your windows and perimeter doors properly secured?
If your space is going to be unoccupied can you lower your space temperature to 62 degrees Fahrenheit?

Facilities Services appreciates your help and cooperation with this most important effort to reduce our energy consumption and lessen the university's impact on the environment.

We also welcome your feedback and would be delighted to come and speak with your floor, suite, and/or department to discuss other ways to reduce the university's impact on the environment with energy conservation, recycling, etc.

We welcome the concept of green building, floor, or suite captains if anyone has an interest. This is a university community team effort and our success will be measured by the level of community involvement and support.

Be aware that each degree of space temperature reduced is equivalent to approximately a 2 percent reduction in energy required to heat the space involved.

If you have any questions, please call the Facilities Services Customer Service at 540-231-4300.