Winter Holiday Energy Setback

To save energy, heating, cooling and lighting is minimized in unoccupied buildings while the university is closed over the winter holiday break (Dec. 18-Jan. 2). Each year, this effort typically saves Seattle University about $15,000 in energy costs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 80 metric tons of carbon dioxide. If you plan to be in the buildings over the upcoming winter holiday break, please dress warmly as space temperatures will be allowed to drop down to 55 degrees.

If your department or college is open during the break, please submit a work order to Facilities to schedule heat by Thursday, Dec. 16. From Friday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Jan. 2, please contact Public Safety at (206) 296-5990 for heating needs.

Buildings with ongoing research experiments or equipment that need a stable temperature are excluded from the holiday setback. On Sunday, Jan. 2, the buildings will return to normal operating temperatures in time for the university’s reopening on Monday, Jan. 3.

Here’s how you can help before leaving for the winter holiday:

• Unplug all non-essential electronics.
• Turn off lights, computers and copiers.
• Close all windows.
• Shut down all non-essential lab equipment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Facilities Resource Center at (206) 296-6996 by noon on Friday, Dec. 17.