Temple’s Energy and Water Conservation Standards are necessary to ensure responsible environmental and financial stewardship. Conservation standards are necessary for  meeting the University’s Climate Commitment and reducing operating costs. 

These Standards are applicable to all Temple University facilities at all locations except TU overseas campuses. Temple’s standards are in-line with recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy and are designed with occupant comfort and safety in mind.

Energy Conservation Standards:

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC):

• Interior temperature standards balance efficiency and human comfort and are based on EPA recommendations.
• HVAC operations will mirror the hours of building occupancy. 
• Every effort will be made to maintain the seasonal occupied temperatures in all University facilities. Occupants of University buildings should not expect space temperatures to be adjusted unless they fall outside of the acceptable seasonal ranges outlined below.
  • Summer
    • During the air-conditioning season, room temperatures will be maintained at 74°F +/- 2 degrees when occupied.
    • The Building Automation System may be utilized to allow temperatures to rise to 85°F during unoccupied periods.
  • Winter
    • During the heating season, room temperatures will be maintained at 68°F +/- 2 degrees when occupied.
    • The Building Automation System may be utilized to allow temperatures to drop to 55°F during unoccupied periods.

• Exceptions to the interior temperature standards are limited to areas supporting patient care, animal care units or research facilities that require constant, cooler or warmer temperatures.
• Doors and windows are designed to be kept closed at all times and should not be opened to alleviate heating or cooling problems in the buildings. 
• Furnishings should not block vents nor should devices be placed near thermostats that would affect the temperature. 
• Space heaters and personal air conditioners are prohibited and will be removed.
• Areas that are too cold or too hot should be reported to The Office of Facilities Management. (215.204.1385).

Lighting:

• Lighting energy reductions shall not compromise occupant safety.
• Employees and students should:
  • Turn lights off in unoccupied spaces.
  • Maximize the use of natural light and turn off all nonessential lighting whenever possible.
  • Utilize task lighting in lieu of overhead lighting when appropriate
• Facilities Management may dim or turn off select lights in response to high electricity prices, supply shortages or grid emergencies.
• All indoor lighting shall be LED. Incandescent lamps are prohibited.

Building Controls, Commissioning and System Optimization

• Temple will continue to invest in Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Direct Digital Control (DDC) to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
• Temple Facilities will oversee an ongoing building commissioning process to resolve operating equipment failures and temperature set-point deviations.
• Temple will prioritize investments in system optimization projects that result in energy efficiency gains.

Electronic equipment, space heaters, and refrigerators:

• All electronic equipment purchased by the university must be Energy Star rated.
• Personal space heaters are prohibited.
• Refrigerators, regardless of the size, must be Energy Star rated.

Water Conservation Standards:

Water Meters

• Water usage at each building is metered by the Philadelphia Water Department and other commercial water companies. Sub-meters are utilized when necessary to monitor heating and cooling system efficiency.
• Irrigation meters have been installed to monitor potable water used for landscaping purposes. Landscape water use will be recorded, tracked, and monitored by Temple University Grounds Department.

Leak Prevention

• Leak detection systems are installed throughout campus buildings.
• Pipes are regularly inspected as part of Temple’s regular maintenance routine.
• Employees and students should immediately call Facilities Management if a leak is suspected (215.204.1385)

Faucets and Toilets

• Temple installs low flow fixtures in all new construction and major renovation projects that include restrooms or kitchens in the project scope.
• Sensors are added in public restrooms to reduce water waste.
• Employees and students should immediately call Facilities Management if a leak is suspected, or sensors are malfunctioning. (215.204.1385)

Roles, Responsibilities, and Guidelines for Temple Employees and Students

University Employees and Students - are responsible for:

1. Recognizing that conservation is important to the University's fiscal health and environmental goals.
2. Take actions to conserve and reduce energy and water consumption.
3. If employees or students have ideas on energy or water conservation, they should email [click-for-email]

Budget and Department Heads - are responsible for:

1. Communicating conservation standards to everyone within their jurisdiction.
2. Including energy and water conservation procedures in onboarding talk points.
3. Designating a person to be responsible for energy and water conservation. This involves being a point of contact for department personnel to report on energy and water conservation issues and to work with Temple’s Facilities Management Department to implement energy conservation measures.

Supervisory Personnel - are responsible for:

1. Coaching employees to comply with this policy and communicating the results of their organization's energy conservation efforts to staff on a regular basis.
2. Recognizing and celebrating successes.

The Facilities Management Department - is responsible for:

1. Monitoring energy consumption
2. Developing and monitoring programs to affect energy consumption reductions.
3. Developing detailed Energy Conservation Policy implementation directives.

The Office of Sustainability - is responsible for:

1. Developing and monitoring programs to affect energy consumption reductions.
2. Providing recommendations regarding Energy Conservation Policy revisions.
3. Providing annual updates regarding Temple’s energy and water consumption via the Sustainability Annual Report.