Heating and Cooling Policy

General Guidelines
Residence Halls
Administrative Areas
Academic Areas
Work Area Space Heaters

General Guidelines

During daytime hours the target temperature is 68 degrees for academic and administrative areas and 70 degrees for residence halls.

During nighttime hours the target temperature is 60 degrees for academic and administrative areas and 65 degrees for residence halls.

Occupancy set point for the cooling season is 76 degrees.

If an area’s normal occupancy hours extend into nights and weekends, the office will be heated to the daytime target temperature during those hours. If normal occupancy hours need to be extended on a temporary basis, Facilities Management should be notified.

Special events outside the normal occupancy hours must be scheduled through Conference Office 3 days in advance.

The beginning and end of the heating period, as described below, is the time the temperature will be turned up or down, and it will take some period of time the temperature to reach the target temperature.

Residence Halls

Daytime heating hours are 7am to 2 am.
Nighttime hours are 2 am to 7am.
Weekends will follow the same schedule.

Administrative Areas

Daytime heating hours are 7am to 6pm.
Nighttime hours are 6pm to 7am.
Weekend target temperatures will be the nighttime target temperatures.

Academic Areas

Daytime heating hours are 7 am to 10 pm.
Nighttime hours are 10 pm to 7 am.
Weekend daytime are 10 am to 4 pm.

Work Area Space Heaters

The electric resistance space heaters presently used on campus are 1600 watts and use the equivalent energy of 16 three-lamp fluorescent lights or 12 personal computers. High efficiency radiant heaters are now available that use 85 to 175 watts. Given the significant energy savings, when supplemental heating is necessary only approved radiant heaters can be used on campus. This will have added benefits of reducing the risk of fire presented by the resistance heaters and the disruption of tripped electric circuits.

Space heater use on campus is restricted to the following models of radiant heaters:

• Berko 202SL panel
• Qmark 202SL panel
• Cozy Legs TCL panel

If a work area is regularly below the established target temperature during the daytime, FM will evaluate the area. Temperature will be measured at desk chair seat level. If the system cannot be adjusted to achieve the target temperature, FM will issue a space heater for use during the heating season. FM will keep a record of all heaters issued and the heater will be collected at the end of the heating season.

If you have a space heater in your work area that was issued by FM or purchased by your department, please contact Facilities Management for an evaluation of your work area. Any unapproved space heaters will be removed by the department supervisor or Facilities Management when found.

Department funds should not be used to purchase space heaters. If employees want to bring personal space heaters, they must be an approved model. If unapproved personal space heaters are found, the owner will be required to remove it.

Space heaters must be turned off and unplugged when the work area is not occupied.

Policy Issued: November 22, 2005
For additional information, please contact Facilities Management at x 2012.

Related Links:

Additional Information on Energy Conservation.