As part of its commitment to sustainability and its efforts to save money in difficult economic times, the University is working to standardize thermostat settings across campus. The University's newest buildings and those under construction have digitally controlled heating and cooling that can be used to remotely set the temperature range. Beginning in April, the utilities staff began activating this technology in almost a dozen buildings.

Sensors will maintain each room's temperature between 70° and 75° F during occupied time, but will allow it to fluctuate within that range. "We chose the 70° to 75° F range," explains Paul Kempf, director of utilities, "because national studies show that the overwhelming majority of the population is comfortable within this range. At the same time, by allowing the temperature to fluctuate rather than trying to maintain an exact temperature, we can minimize the use of mechanical systems, which will result in an approximately 5 percent reduction in energy use and costs."

The buildings that currently have this technology include the Eck Hall of Law, St. Liam (student health center), Galvin, Jordan, Guglielmino, Duncan, Hammes Mowbray (security and  the post office), Nanotechnology, the Early Childhood Development Center, Giovanni Commons in Mendoza, indoor golf practice, and Melissa Cook Stadium. As a result of energy-saving renovations being undertaken this year, another nine buildings will be outfitted with digital controls. These include Crowley, Flanner, Grace, Haggar and McKenna Halls, Hesburgh Library, and the Joyce, Mason and Reyniers Centers. As this project ends and new building construction already underway is completed, up to 30 percent of the University's square footage will be managed by digital systems. Those faculty, staff and students who are not in digitally controlled buildings are being asked to make a major contribution to campus energy savings by immediately checking their thermostats and following the policy by keeping residential, office and classroom temperatures below 75° F during the heating season and within the 70° to 75° F range during the cooling season.

"Our commitment to being better stewards of our resources is at the heart of our sustainability program," says John Affleck-Graves, Executive Vice President. "During these tenuous economic times, we want to give every member of the University community an opportunity to participate in conserving both energy and budget dollars."