UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — At the conclusion of the fall 2023 semester, Penn State will once again institute a Holiday Heat Reduction Program, aimed at lowering building temperatures during the holiday break. This annual energy savings initiative saves the University, on average, $240,000 in energy costs. The Holiday Heat Reduction Program has proven to be an important factor in helping the University pursue its energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
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 2023 Holiday Heat Reduction Program schedule at University Park is as follows:
- Dec. 21, 2023: Participating buildings begin to go into unoccupied mode, staggered by area, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Temperatures set to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and no ventilation.
- Jan. 1, 2024: Participating buildings return to 60 F, staggered by area, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Jan. 2, 2024: Return all buildings to occupied 70 F morning start up. Buildings will follow their normal set occupied schedules.
Research and critical spaces will remain unchanged during the break period.
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. 4.
- Specify the dates and times 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, 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 officer or administrative officer will determine the extent of the setback program, review requests for exceptions, and render decisions locally.