FAQ
Q. If I lower the temperature in my office by 2 degrees, what impact will it have on energy consumption?
A. If you lower your office temperature by just 2 degrees during working hours, you can reduce the total amount of energy used for heating your office by 3%. If all occupants of Holyoke Center had reduced their thermostats by 2 degrees last winter (2005), this would have saved 432,000 cubic feet of natural gas, costing $4,320, and prevented 50,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions. This winter, the cost of natural gas is expected to be 60% greater then last year, so any savings will be even larger.
(Source for % reductions: US Department of Energy, http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/
index.cfm/mytopic=12720)
Q. My space is drafty – why can’t I have a space heater?
A. Space heaters are not allowed in Harvard University Buildings. These units are a major cause of building fires and their use is not authorized within buildings.
(Source: Harvard University Safety Guide, http://www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/lp/fire_safety_guide.pdf (page 8)
Q. What’s wrong with using a room humidifier to help the air feel warmer?
A. Room humidifiers create mold that causes respiratory illness. Instead, try keeping one or two plants in your space – but not on the heating unit cabinet . In addition to the water that plants give off through transpiration, they stimulate your eyes and make you feel warmer and less dry.
Q. How is Holyoke Center heated, and how much fuel is burned?
A. Holyoke Center has a boiler fueled by natural gas. Last winter (2005) this boiler used 14.4 million cubic feet of gas. This amounts to approximately 19,200 cubic feet per person per year.
Q. Why are there warm spots and cool spots within my space?
A. Consistent heating requires proper circulation. A desk or other piece of furniture too near a radiator can disrupt this air flow, leading to cold spots in a room.
Some older buildings have heating systems that do not deliver perfectly even heat. Heating one space to 72° may cause other areas – and office mates - to become uncomfortably warm. Building management will work with you to address these issues.
Q. Do window blinds really have an impact on temperature?
A. Yes! Blinds have an enormous impact on the amount of heat that comes in or goes out your window. If you are too hot during the day, consider closing your blinds, at least partially. Especially in the summer, sitting in direct sunlight will make you feel hot no matter how much the air is conditioned. In the winter, make sure to close your blinds at night. If you have curved venetian blinds, leave the curve facing in to reflect the maximum amount of heat back into the room.
Q. There are three offices controlled by one thermostat. What do we do when some people are too cold (or hot) and others are not?
A. Start by taking the simplest steps.
- The folks who are cold should try adding an additional layer of clothing; those who are too warm should consider working in their shirtsleeves.
- Temperature may vary within an office. Consider rearranging the seating arrangements to take advantage of warm and cold spots.
- Don't take the thermostat hostage on an hourly basis! Agree to a happy medium and stick with it. The building management team will be happy to work with you on this.