Tips

If you are feeling too COLD:    

• Dress sensibly for winter weather; wear layers.
• Keep blinds or drapes open when the sun is out and shut them when it gets dark.
• Be sure that heating units aren’t blocked by personal belongings.
• Get up and move around at least once an hour – you feel colder when you sit still for prolonged periods.
• If you still feel cold after trying the above, try adjusting your thermostat – move the lever to the right to increase the temperature.
• If your desk is near a cold window, consider an alternative office layout that would put you in a warmer place.  Many older buildings cannot achieve consistent temperature throughout each space, and inevitably end up with cold spots.
• If your heater or thermostat is malfunctioning, call the Holyoke Center Management Office : (617) 496-4400
• If you still feel that your space is too cold, please fill out a Temperature Exception Form.

If you are feeling too WARM:    

• Consider lowering your thermostat within the range of 66– 72° F
• If you are warm but others are cold, you could suggest ways for them to keep warm, or try the following:
  • Remove a layer of clothing.
  • Move your desk to a cooler spot.
  • Close your shades during the day if the sun hits your room.

    Campfire Radiation Did you ever sit by a campfire and notice how comfortable you were even though the temperatures were hot on your clothing facing the fire and cold on your clothing away from the fire? At this same time the outside air temperature might have been 50°F (10°C) or colder. The temperature you perceived was radically different than the actual air temperature. The body’s perceived temperature is dramatically affected by direct radiation such as a campfire. The same radiation affect holds true sitting in direct sunlight, such as in a car. Car air conditioning allows the occupants to vary temperatures and create drafts for occupant comfort.  Standard building design is for a steady temperature and draft free environment. For building comfort, keep sunlight off occupants. Source: ASHRAE Journal, January, 2004

 

If you are feeling too DRY:

                

• Keep yourself hydrated, drink water!
• Try using chapstick and skin lotion
• Keep a plant in your office – plants add some water to the air through transpiration and also stimulate your eyes to make the room feel more humid.
• Do NOT use a humidifier – these are a major cause of mold in buildings.

 

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Harvard Green Campus Initiative  46 Blackstone Street | Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617.496.1278
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