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Energy Conservation

The University's energy conservation initiatives and programs have yielded impressive results because of your support and cooperation. As we move into the winter season, there are several new initiatives that we would like you to be aware of.

Energy Conservation Initiatives

1. Lower Temperature Set-points, Air Handling Unit (AHU) Shutdown, and implement clearly defined Building Usage/Occupation Schedules:

Thermostats should be set to the lowest comfortable level during normal work hours and reduced further upon leaving an occupied space. Each degree of setback corresponds to approximately a 5% savings. Where there are specific research needs adjustments may be made. Selected AHUs will be placed on localized seven-day timers or, where applicable, remotely shut down when buildings are unoccupied.

The recommended temperatures are: Occupied: 68 Degrees F and Unoccupied: 65 Degrees F.

2. Reduce overall power consumption by shutting off lights, space heaters, computers, monitors, and other related office or intermittently-used lab equipment upon leaving an occupied space.

3. Notify Facilities Services/Operations and Maintenance of any excessive drafts occurring around windows or doors.

4. Notify Facilities Services/Operations and Maintenance when any building is unoccupied or out of service. Close all exterior windows and doors to minimize infiltration of cold outdoor air.

In addition, Facilities Services/Operations and Maintenance will oversee the following:

  1. Tune-up and verification of air handling unit compliance with the minimum required outside air for proper building ventilation.
  2. Tune-up of Energy Recovery Systems, Reheat Systems, Perimeter Radiation, Steam Converters and Heat Exchangers to the utmost efficiency.
  3. Elimination of Campus/Building Distribution System Steam Leaks, Un-insulated Steam Pipes & Steam Converters, and Verification of Steam Trap Operations.

These initiatives are being implemented in cooperation with the Schools and Centers and the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, which will assess the impact of this policy and advise necessary changes and improvements. As we realized last year, building systems may need re-calibrations after temperatures are reset. If you experience discomfort please do not assume it is a result of the energy conservation plan. Instead, report such discomfort since it may be caused by a malfunctioning building system that can be repaired.

As we move forward into this heating season we ask everyone to join together, as one Penn community, in furthering a wise, sensitive and forward-thinking energy conservation policy.

--Omar Blaik, Vice President, Facilities Services

--Barry Hilts, Associate Vice President, Facilities Operations


Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 10, October 30, 2001

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
October 30, 2001
Volume 48 Number 10
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

The answer is blowing in the wind; Penn agrees to purchase wind-generated electric energy.
The Political Science department has three newly appointed faculty members who have endowed chairs.
As winter weather approaches, the University has energy conservation initiatives ready to be implemented.
Dr. Norma Lang becomes the first woman and the first nurse to win the Codman Award.
The University celebrates 125 Years of Women at Penn, online with web sites and on campus with events.
The Government Affairs Update covers the recent developments in federal, commonwealth and city and community relations.
Volunteer opportunities in November are plentiful, including Shadowing Day and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.
There are two campus blood drives coming up in early November.