With the decreasing daily temperatures, it's now time to prepare for the coming heating season by reviewing the University's energy conservation recommendations. Please follow these specific guidelines to begin conserving on a daily basis. To those employees who have participated in the past, we thank you and encourage you to continue your efforts.

Energy Conservation Recommendations

• Set thermostats to the lowest comfortable level while at work and lower further when leaving. Recommended temperatures are 68 degrees F for occupied spaces and 65 degrees F for unoccupied. Adjustments can be made for specific research needs. Selected air handling units will be shut down when buildings or areas they serve are unoccupied. We save about 5 percent for each degree the thermostat is lowered.
• Shut off lights, space heaters, computer monitors and other office or lab equipment when leaving. Consult your local support provider before shutting off any computers.
• Keep doors and windows closed to minimize infiltration of cold air. Open blinds and shades to take advantage of the sun's warming. Notify Facilities Services at (215) 898-7208, of excessive drafts around windows or doors.
• Remove items blocking fan coils, radiators and air distribution registers.
• Notify Facilities Services at (215) 898-7208 when any building or large space is unoccupied or out of service.
• Report discomfort; do not assume it is a result of the energy conservation plan since it may be caused by a malfunctioning building system that can be repaired. Some building systems may need re-calibrations.

Meanwhile, Facilities Services, in cooperation with the Schools and Centers and the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (OEHRS), is monitoring and repairing air handling units, energy recovery systems, reheat systems, perimeter radiation, steam converters and heat exchangers.

Crews are also working to eliminate campus/building distribution system steam leaks, un-insulated steam pipes and converters and to verify steam trap operations. OEHRS will assess the impact of these initiatives and recommend necessary changes and improvements.

Thank you for supporting the University's energy policies. Through past conservation efforts, Penn has used a portion of the realized savings to purchase clean technology wind-generated power. Together, as one Penn community, we will continue to wisely and successfully manage our resources.

-- Omar Blaik, Vice President, Facilities & Real Estate Services

-- Barry Hilts, Associate Vice President, Facilities Operations