Campus Winter Heating Settings Protect the Climate: UB Example

As campuses ease into winter, it is a good time to revisit the question of temperature settings. The University of Buffalo (UB) provides a good example for the rest of us. One of the reasons that UB saves over $9 million in energy costs each year is because Energy Officer, Walter Simpson, along with a team of dedicated students, faculty and staff have formalized a detailed set of practical, money -saving energy policies. Among these policies is the requirement that temperature controls be set at no higher than 68 F from 8 am to 5 pm in offices and from 8 am to 10 pm in classrooms on weekdays and at 55 degrees on weekends and holidays. Individuals may use approved space heaters or request weekday temperature settings when appropriate, but they must first register any special temperature requirements with facilities. A general rule of thumb is that for every degree the heat is lowered in the 60-70 degree temperature range, costs and emissions are reduced by 5 percent.