Policy Manual
  University of North Texas

   Date Issued: 6/83,8/94,                        8/98,8/02

SUBJECT: ENERGY POLICY  

APPLICABILITY: TOTAL UNIVERSITY

PURPOSE: The University of North Texas recognizes the need to reduce our energy consumption for cost savings, and for environmental considerations. The primary goal is to establish a policy which will meet the needs of the University, and reduce all unnecessary energy usage.

POLICY: It shall be the policy of the University that:

(a) Energy consuming devices will be used only when needed to support the mission of the University and to ensure the health and safety requirements of the students, faculty, and staff.

(b) Energy conservation measures will be updated as funds are available to take advantage of the latest developments in technology in the areas of energy management systems, lighting, pumps, motors, air handling and refrigeration and heating equipment.

(c) The responsibility to conserve energy belongs to everyone, not just the Facilities staff.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Vice Presidents: It shall be the responsibility of each Vice President to schedule activities in their area of responsibility in such a manner that will keep energy consumption at the lowest possible level without adversely affecting the University programs.

Facilities: It shall be the responsibility of the Associate Vice President for Facilities and his staff to keep all building systems in satisfactory working condition and to operate those systems in such a manner that optimum energy efficiency will be maintained.

University Architect: It shall be the responsibility of the University Architect to ensure that the design of construction and renovation projects meet the needs of the occupants, with energy usage being specified which will result in optimum efficiencies.

General: Students, faculty, and staff must use energy prudently. Everyone must turn off lights when rooms are not in use. The use of personal lamps and other lighting devices, which produce excessive heat, is prohibited. The use of individual electric space heaters is prohibited unless authorized by the Director of Risk Management after a safety inspection of the device.  Each person is also responsible for turning off energy using devices such as office equipment and fume hoods when they are not being used. Occupied space temperature set-points will normally be 70 degrees in the heating season and 74 degrees in the cooling season. Windows and exterior doors must be kept closed to prevent the loss of conditioned air. Employees should report inoperable equipment or wasteful practices to their building representative so that corrective action can be taken.