Despite the long stretch of 100-plus degree heat, UNL has been able to continue the night and weekend shutdown of buildings -- resulting in energy savings -- and still have them catch up adequately in the mornings.
Clark deVries, director of Utility and Energy Management, provides some suggestions to help keep your workspace more comfortable during hot weather:
- Select appropriate, lightweight clothing. But in a few buildings, you may actually want a second layer. Reheat systems found in many UNL office and classroom buildings actually use less energy when providing air at colder temperatures.
- Set your thermostat at a comfortable setting and leave it alone, rather than adjusting to extremes.
- Keep windows closed and locked, and keep window coverings drawn when a window is in direct sunlight.
- Use dimmers or bi-level switching where available, to minimize the amount of light needed for tasks. Remember to turn off lights whenever you leave your workspace for more than a minute or two. If you have a desk lamp with a fluorescent bulb, try using that instead of the overhead lights. If your desk lamp has an incandescent bulb, replace it with a compact fluorescent or LED bulb.
- Turn off computers, monitors, printers and other electronic devices when not needed. Turn off the coffee pot once everybody’s awake.
- In laboratories, make sure all electrical and heat-producing equipment is turned off except when needed. Keep fume hood sashes closed except when loading or unloading the hoods.