Office of Physical Plant

Holiday Heat Reduction Program aims to save energy

University buildings to be set to lower temperatures during extended holiday break

Each year, Penn State saves approximately $225,000 in energy costs by instituting a Holiday Heat Reduction Program at University Park during the winter holiday break, which was extended this year from close of business on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. This effort has proven to be an important factor in helping the University pursue its energy conservation goals and meet its commitment to the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge of reducing energy usage by 20 percent over a 10-year period. 

Over the holiday break, as stated in Penn State's Energy Conservation Policy, temperatures in many University facilities will be reduced to conserve energy, reduce emissions and generate savings for the University.  

The 2021 Holiday Heat Reduction Program at University Park is as follows:  

  • Dec. 17: Participating buildings begin to go into unoccupied mode, staggered by area, between 5-11 p.m. Temperatures set to 50 degrees F and no ventilation. For buildings that are scheduled to host final exams after 5 p.m., the building will not go into unoccupied mode until after the exams are finished. 

  • Jan. 2: Participating buildings return to 60 degrees F, staggered by area, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to lessen the impact to the West Campus Steam Plant.  

  • Jan. 3: Return all buildings to occupied 70 degrees F morning start-up. Buildings will follow their normal set occupied schedules with COVID-related ventilation standards.  

Please note that temperatures in research and critical spaces will remain unchanged during the holiday break.  

At University Park, there are opportunities for exceptions to the above schedule. Faculty and staff who have a business-related need are asked to submit exception requests using the following procedure. Requests must be received by Monday, Dec. 6. 

  • Specify the dates and time of day for the exception — which must be endorsed by the appropriate dean or administrative officer — and sent to the responsible Facility Coordinator. 

  • Requests should indicate a specific work-related need or may be related to facilities serving the general public or for laboratories where research projects could be compromised by a temperature setback. 

  • The facility coordinator will submit the requests to the Penn State Office of Physical Plant. 

At locations other than University Park, the campus executive office or administrative officer will determine the extent of the setback program, review requests for exceptions and render decisions locally. 

Last Updated November 18, 2021