Energy Conservation and Waste Reduction Philosophy
Elizabethtown College is committed to reducing consumption of utilities and generation of solid waste in keeping with the best principles of environmental sustainability. The College's goal is to implement conservation and sustainability measures to allow us to use only the utilities needed to support the College's educational mission. The College spends over $1.6 million dollars annually on energy (electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, water and sewer). Thus, the College has adopted this policy to promote the conservation of energy to reduce our use of water and generation of solid waste. Through this philosophy, Facilities Management strives to achieve work and study conditions within the temperature standards throughout the campus.
Temperature Standards - In order to maintain reasonable comfort and lower energy expenditures, the College has established the following standards for comfort heating and cooling. Summer temperature settings (air conditioning) are 74-77° F. Winter settings (heating) are 68-71° F.
Lighting - Interior lighting is high efficiency fluorescent, whenever possible. New energy-saving fixtures, lamps and ballasts are used to replace existing less efficient lighting whenever economically feasible and appropriate. Decorative lighting is kept to a minimum. Lighting levels recommended by the most recent edition of the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Lighting Handbook are used as our design standard. Consistent with the institutional Conservation & Sustainability philosophy, interior and exterior lighting are to support educational programs, scheduled events, and safety.
Use of Technology – Current HVAC and lighting control technologies increasingly support our goal of using only the energy needed to support college activities. We have installed occupancy sensors in our new construction projects, and are in the process of retrofitting them into existing buildings, including residence halls. Occupancy sensors have the capability of controlling lighting as well as interfacing with our building automation system to change the space temperature set point unoccupied setting when there is nobody in the space. Thus you may, depending on the season, experience warmer or cooler unoccupied temperatures when you initially enter a vacant room. However, within a few minutes, the room should reach the occupied temperature.
Holiday Periods - College buildings will be only minimally heated/cooled during holiday periods unless pre-arrangements have been made. The exception to the policy will be buildings that contain temperature sensitive special collections or equipment, or buildings that are officially open during the holidays. Requests for exceptions to this policy with an explanation should be addressed to the Director of Facilities Management.
Building Resource Management to Reduce Air Infiltration - Windows and exterior doors should be kept closed during the heating season and during the summer in areas that have mechanical cooling or window air conditioners. Every member of the college community should assume the responsibility of closing windows, turning off office equipment when not in use, shutting off the lights when leaving a room and turning off computers and other electrical consuming equipment when out of the office. Schedulers of classes, meetings, and other campus activities should endeavor to minimize energy use by using only the space needed by their event. Use of stairs rather than elevators, except for the physically challenged and persons transporting heavy equipment or materials, is encouraged.
Space Heaters - The use of space heaters in College facilities, except for those provided by Facilities Management, is prohibited for safety and occupant comfort reasons. The use of space heaters upsets normal operation of building HVAC systems causing uncomfortable conditions for occupants and those nearby spaces. Details of the College space heater policy.
Window Air Conditioning Units - Only window air conditioning units installed by the College are used in buildings that do not have central air conditioning. Occupants in spaces with window air conditioners must follow the summer College Temperature Policy. Operating a unit in air conditioning mode when the outside air temperature is below 50° will damage the unit. The Director of Facilities Management must approve a new installation or replacement of a window unit. Specific petitions for window air conditioner use beyond the beginning of Fall Break will be reviewed only after Director of Learning & Disability Services has determined that a student has a documented medical condition requiring a window air conditioner.
Scheduling – As building HVAC operation is scheduled using 25Live, event planners must use this program to schedule their events.Events not listed on 25Live will not be provided with occupied space temperatures.
Switchover from Heating to Cooling - As the spring temperatures warm Facilities Management staff begins the process of transitioning College building HVAC systems from heating to air conditioning. As College buildings are heated and cooled with several types of HVAC systems there will be times during the transition from heating to cooling when your spaces may not be as comfortable as you would like. Individuals occupying buildings with four pipe HVAC systems will experience few temperature fluctuations while occupants in buildings with two pipe systems will experience more fluctuations.
Switchover from Cooling to Heating - As the fall temperatures cool, Facilities Management staff begins the process of transitioning College building HVAC systems from air conditioning to heating. As College buildings are heated and cooled with several types of HVAC systems there will be times during the transition from cooling to heating when your spaces may not be as comfortable as you would like. Individuals occupying buildings with four pipe HVAC systems will experience few temperature fluctuations while occupants in buildings with two pipe systems will experience more fluctuations.
Learn more about our HVAC systems, their limitations during the transitional seasons and how your spaces can be impacted.
New Construction/Renovation - The College seeks to reduce future utility consumption in new facility construction and renovation whenever feasible. Current standards outlined in ASHRAE Standard No. 90.1 Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings will be followed as closely as possible. Additionally, all city and state building codes, ordinances and regulations are followed.
Water - Conservation of water is a key element in College conservation efforts. Any leaks in restrooms, kitchens or dripping faucets should be immediately reported to the Department of Facilities Management. Members of the campus community can also make a conscience effort to reduce water consumption by reducing the duration of showers and limiting the time faucets are allowed to run.
Recycling - The College's recycling program allows members of the College community to participate in recycling by using standard procedures across campus. Each building on campus has recycling centers where recycled materials are picked up by the Environmental Services staff. Residence halls have a recycling center in a central location. Each department in academic and administrative buildings has a recycling center for your use.
The College recycles many products including: glass, aluminum cans, plastic containers, and metal to limit our impact on the environment and to reduce disposal costs. See a detailed list of recyclable materials that our recycling & waste hauler accepts and a short list of materials that are not recyclable.