MCLA recognizes the numerous and increasingly important benefits of energy conservation. Energy costs have consistently risen in recent years and will likely continue to do so. In addition to conserving financial resources, energy conservation is crucial to our success at reducing air and water pollution, global warming, dependence on foreign energy supplies and to conserve our natural resources for future generations.
Energy used for heating and cooling is directly affected by the indoor temperatures that we maintain. This Heating & Cooling Policy is necessary to define standards that balance responsible stewardship with the need for comfortable living, learning and working environments. The policy adopted by MCLA is consistent with industry standards and the practices of our peer institutions.
Our campus heating season normally runs from October 1 to April 30, or as dictated by the weather. The daytime heating set-point for academic and administrative buildings is 68 degrees and 70 degrees for residential buildings. The nighttime heating set-point for academic and administrative buildings is 60 degrees and 65 degrees for residential buildings.
The cooling season runs approximately from May 15 to September 15, depending upon the weather. The cooling set-point is 76 degrees.
Academic Buildings: Academic buildings are considered occupied Monday-Saturday.
Administrative Buildings: Administrative buildings are considered occupied Monday-Friday. The buildings will be set to the nighttime set-point on weekends and holidays.
Residential Buildings: Residential buildings are considered occupied every day.
Freel Library: The Library is considered occupied every day.
Exception to the Heating and Cooling Policy
We recognize that there are areas and designated times when exceptions to the policy are in the best interest of the college. Some examples of areas that may reasonably be excepted include computer equipment rooms, archives, animal and scientific experiment labs, etc. Special events, held after daytime heating hours may require that temperatures be temporarily adjusted. All request for exceptions should be submitted to the Power Plant at Extension 5261. Exceptions shall not be granted for personal convenience or for gathering or meetings that could be scheduled during daytime heating hours or held in a location that has extended heating hours.
Electric Space Heaters
Personal electric space heaters are only to be used with the prior approval of the Facilities Department. Electric resistance heaters are costly, can create overloads to the building electric service and pose a significant risk of fire. Electric heaters will only be approved after Facilities has evaluated the area's heating system and it is determined that the existing system is not capable of consistently maintaining within two degrees of the established heating set-point temperature. Facilities will only approve high-efficiency radiant heaters approved by Underwriters Laboratory. Please contact the Facilities Office if you have an area to be evaluated for the use of an electric space heater.
Window Air Conditioning Units
All new window air conditioning units must be approved by Facilities and be Energy Star Compliant and shall be turned off at the end of the work day.
