UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — At the conclusion of the fall semester, Penn State will once again institute a Holiday Heat Reduction Program at University Park, aimed at lowering building temperatures during the holiday break. This annual energy savings initiative saved the University more than $350,000 in energy costs last year. The Holiday Heat Reduction Program 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% 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 2022 Holiday Heat Reduction Program is as follows:
- Dec. 22-24: Participating buildings begin to go into unoccupied mode, staggered by area and work-related activities. Temperatures set to 50 F and no ventilation.
- Jan. 2: Participating buildings return to 60 F, staggered by area, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to lessen the impact to campus utility plants.
- Jan. 3: Return all buildings to occupied 70 F morning startup. Buildings will follow their normal set occupied schedules.
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 no later than Monday, Dec. 5.
- 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 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 temperature setback program, review requests for exceptions and render decisions locally.