Winter Break Building Energy Setback

One of the simple things we can do to support the goals of our Laudato Si Action Plan is to minimize heating, cooling and lighting in unoccupied buildings while the university is closed over the winter holiday break (Dec. 23-Jan. 2). This simple step reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 80 metric tons of carbon dioxide with an added benefit of saving about $20,000 in energy costs. If you plan to be in the buildings over the upcoming winter holiday break, please dress warmly as space temperatures will be allowed to drop down to 55 degrees.

If your department or college is open during the break, please submit a work order to Facilities to schedule heat by Thursday, Dec. 22.  From Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 2, please contact Public Safety at (206) 296-5990 for heating needs.

Buildings with ongoing research experiments or equipment that need a stable temperature are excluded from the holiday setback.

On Tuesday, Jan. 3, buildings will return to the occupied operating temperatures. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Facilities Resource Center at (206) 296-6996 by noon on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Additional energy-saving measures you can take

• Unplug all non-essential electronics
• Turn off lights, computers and copiers
• Close all windows
• Shut down all non-essential lab equipment