Danforth Campus Temperature Setpoint Policy

Washington University’s Danforth Campus recently adopted an updated standard for thermostatic setpoints in office and classroom spaces. This new policy aims to improve the comfort of building occupants, reduce operating costs, and reduce the university’s carbon emissions. It applies to offices and classrooms. Spaces with specific temperature, humidity, and air flow requirements, such as laboratories, as well as some assembly spaces, may be operated under different parameters in order to meet programmatic requirements or to optimize energy efficiency.

The setpoint policy is based on extensive thermal comfort research by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and on feedback from the WashU community, that identifies the temperature ranges where 80% or more of occupants are comfortable. The policy reflects current WashU design specifications for new construction and is consistent with temperature setpoint policies at institutions throughout the US.

Background

While Washington University has historically sought to maintain common setpoints across its campuses, the university has taken an ad hoc approach to requests for variances. Over time this has led to unintended consequences, including: spaces that are uncomfortably cold in summer months, higher energy costs, higher carbon emissions, and temperatures that are determined by the preferences of the most vocal. Data from the university’s buildings, as well as anecdotal information, show that roughly 45% of Danforth campus spaces have been maintained at temperatures that are uncomfortably cold for many members of the university community during the summer months .

The new setpoint policy seeks to address these issues in two ways:

• The previous year-round common setpoint of 72° +/- 2 degrees is being updated to include separate seasonally-appropriate heating and cooling temperature ranges that research has shown to be comfortable for the majority of people. The high and low ends of the new ranges adjust the previous common setpoint by a maximum of 2 degrees.
• Institute an exception request process to limit the number of variances.

In addition to improving occupants’ comfort, the policy is estimated to save $200,000 – $300,000 per year when fully implemented. With the recent shift to use-based billing for campus utilities, savings will accrue directly to the Schools. The policy is also estimated to reduce campus carbon emissions by 2,500 – 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, which is 5-8% of the university’s 2020 carbon reduction goal and equivalent to removing 530 – 845 cars from the road.

The policy was piloted in Hillman Hall in late 2016 without cost or physical disturbance to the Brown School. Implementation resulted in immediate energy savings. No occupant complaints were received and a number of staff members expressed improved comfort. The policy was also piloted in Provost Holden Thorp’s office suite and Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration Hank Webber’s office suite. The graph below shows the energy savings that resulted from the Hillman Hall pilot, corresponding to ~9% annual energy savings.

It is important to note that the new policy will require some staff members to adjust to the new conditions. The updated setpoints may require adjustments in dress and/or some time for staff to acclimate to the new conditions. It usually takes the human body 10-20 days to acclimate to changing seasons.

Implementation

The university will take a phased approach to implementing the setpoint policy in order to identify and address potential issues in buildings of different ages and types. The HVAC Services team will implement the first phase of buildings in late May and early June 2017. These buildings will be included in the following phases:

FAQs

To view a slide deck with additional background information, view the Temperature Setpoint Policy (PPT).

Exception Request Process

Exceptions to the setpoint policy may be granted on a limited case-by-case basis and are subject to the ability of the building systems to meet the request. Personal preference will not be considered a valid reason for seeking exceptions. If you would like to request an exception to the setpoint policy, please have your department head send an email with the following information to cfu-tempexception@email.wustl.edu.

• Name of the Person Requesting an Exception
• Email of the Person Requesting an Exception
• Department Name
• Building
• Room Number
• Desired Setpoint
• Reason for Requesting an Exception (please be as specific as possible)

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