Policies & Procedures
Temperature Set Point Policy
Loyola University Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, A Just Future, provides a clear path toward a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025. Energy management is a key component of this plan, and the Facilities Division continues to seek opportunities for energy reduction and efficiencies across all areas of our operation. In keeping with Loyola’s climate action plan, and aligning ourselves with our AJCU peers in similar climates such as John Carroll University, Creighton University, Loyola University Maryland, and Marquette University, Loyola has implemented a temperature set point policy to help reduce our energy consumption. This policy has been approved and sponsored by the University’s Sustainability Committee, and will be managed by the Facilities Division using our building automation system (BAS) to set temperature thresholds and monitor for abnormalities outside of our setpoint range.
The guidelines for temperature management are as follows:
- In the summer, cool to 75 degrees
- In the winter, heat to 70 degrees
- Large events will be exempt from the temperature set point policy, and Facilities will continue to pre-cool spaces for events
- Spaces governed by this policy include: offices, classrooms, conference rooms, office suites, and common areas
- Spaces exempt from this policy include: labs, wellness centers, LUMA, Libraries stacks and rare book collections, data centers and closets, retail, TV studio and control rooms, and residential rooms
- Space heaters are prohibited and are subject to removal by Facilities.
- During University breaks or closures, building set points may be adjusted further to maximize savings in unoccupied spaces.
- During the summer months, Facilities may need to reduce space temperatures for humidity control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my space isn’t in the temperature range listed?
If your space is outside of this range for a period longer than 24 hours, please submit a work request to Facilities and an Engineer will look into the issue. If the space temperature drops below 65 degrees during winter, or above 78 degrees during summer occupied hours, please contact Facilities immediately at x8-2100.
As a building occupant, how can I help reduce energy?
Buildings require occupants’ attention to function optimally. Building occupants can help by doing the following:
- Keep windows closed when the building is in heating or cooling
- Do not prop open doors when the building is in heating or cooling
- If you are in a building that operates in natural ventilation mode, please follow the prompt on the indicator light to help optimize the mode of operation
- Use revolving doors if available
- Turn off printers and copiers when not in use for an extended period of time
- Turn off computers at the end of the day
- Turn off lights when leaving the room
- Use stairs in lieu of elevators, if possible
What else should I be aware of?
During shoulder seasons (fall and spring), Facilities transitions its buildings from heating to cooling (or vice versa) and are not able to transition back and forth in response to fluctuations in outside air temperatures. Space temps may be difficult to control during these times, so we appreciate your patience during these shoulder seasons. Some buildings are designed to operate in natural ventilation mode, where fan systems are shut off, and we rely on the outside temperature to condition the indoor space. If you are in Cuneo Hall, the School of Environmental Sustainability, Schreiber Center, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, the Loyola Information Commons, or the Center for Translational Research and Education, you may notice windows open automatically, or receive a prompt through an indicator light to open your windows. Following these prompts will optimize the operation of the building in natural ventilation mode.
Temperature Set Point Policy
Loyola University Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, A Just Future, provides a clear path toward a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025. Energy management is a key component of this plan, and the Facilities Division continues to seek opportunities for energy reduction and efficiencies across all areas of our operation. In keeping with Loyola’s climate action plan, and aligning ourselves with our AJCU peers in similar climates such as John Carroll University, Creighton University, Loyola University Maryland, and Marquette University, Loyola has implemented a temperature set point policy to help reduce our energy consumption. This policy has been approved and sponsored by the University’s Sustainability Committee, and will be managed by the Facilities Division using our building automation system (BAS) to set temperature thresholds and monitor for abnormalities outside of our setpoint range.
The guidelines for temperature management are as follows:
- In the summer, cool to 75 degrees
- In the winter, heat to 70 degrees
- Large events will be exempt from the temperature set point policy, and Facilities will continue to pre-cool spaces for events
- Spaces governed by this policy include: offices, classrooms, conference rooms, office suites, and common areas
- Spaces exempt from this policy include: labs, wellness centers, LUMA, Libraries stacks and rare book collections, data centers and closets, retail, TV studio and control rooms, and residential rooms
- Space heaters are prohibited and are subject to removal by Facilities.
- During University breaks or closures, building set points may be adjusted further to maximize savings in unoccupied spaces.
- During the summer months, Facilities may need to reduce space temperatures for humidity control.