Defining the Cooling and Heating Seasons
For the purpose of this policy, cooling season (or summer) is from late May to early October andheating season (or winter) is from mid-October to early May. During the changeover from cooling to heating season and vice versa, there will be days when air-conditioning or heating is not provided to buildings even though the outside air temperature may suggest it.
This is because unlike typical home systems, it is not feasible for our systems to alternate between cooling and heating on a daily basis. However, during these “shoulder periods,” the outside air temperature is usually mild and space temperatures are expected to be within a comfortable range.
Temporary unseasonal weather can interfere with programmed systems, but usually pass within a day or two and do not take temperatures much beyond acceptable set points.
Space Temperature Set Points during Occupied Hours
Space temperatures will be targeted for 68° during the heating season and 76° during the cooling season during occupied hours. The target temperatures are within the range that is acceptable to 80 percent of the building occupants per ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.
In implementing this policy, all spaces will be maintained as close to the set points as possible. However, due to the age of some of the heating and cooling systems on campus and the inability to control temperatures at individual room levels, occupants may experience a range of temperatures in their spaces that are several degrees on either side of the set point. This should be acceptable and comfortable to most occupants. If the space temperature drops below 65° during winter or is above 78° during summer occupied hours, please contact the Facilities Department.
Use of Space Heaters, Portable A/C Units and Fans
As a policy, space heaters and portable A/C units are prohibited due to fire code, other health and safety considerations, and energy conservation mandates. The Facilities Department will permit approved space heaters and portable A/C units only in those limited instances where the building systems cannot provide temperatures within acceptable variation of the ranges stated above.
All other space heaters and portable A/C units in any other spaces are subject to confiscation by the Facilities Department. Energy-efficient table or pedestal fans are permitted and considered acceptable solutions to increase your sense of comfort by improving air movement.
Facilities Department Response to Heating / Cooling Concerns
Heating and cooling concerns should be reported to the Facilities Department by using the online Facilities Request System or calling 610-902-8242. A technician will analyze the condition and make adjustments or recommendations.
The Facilities Department's normal business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, heating and cooling concerns should be directed to the Department of Public Safety. Public Safety and/or Residence Life personnel will determine if Facilities on-call personnel should be contacted or if the condition can be addressed the next business day.
Faculty, Staff, & Student Responsibilities
Faculty, staff, and students should be cognizant of leaving windows open and where they place furnishings in relation to the heating/cooling devices in a space such as to not interfere with designed air flow.
Heat-emitting appliances should not be placed below thermostats, because most thermostats control more than one space, and such devices can interfere with an entire system.
Changes to occupied hours schedules need to be communicated to Facilities 48 hours in advance, because temperatures are programmed to conserve during unoccupied timeframes.