– Policy 5100: Energy Management
Date Originally Issued: October 21, 2019
Authorized by RPM 3.1 (“Responsibilities of the Rector”)
Process Owner: Associate Vice Rector for Institutional Support Services
- General
As the North Cyprus’s flagship institution of higher education, the Mesarya Technical University has a civic, social, and fiscal responsibility to optimize its procurement, production, and consumption of energy. The University will provide the energy education and expertise necessary to support students, faculty, and staff in reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency as they learn and work together to fulfil the University’s mission. Occupant health, safety, comfort, and program requirements will remain a primary concern as the University works to minimize energy usage. To promote a safe, healthy learning environment and to complement the energy management program, each campus shall review and adhere to the preventive maintenance and monitoring plan administered by the University Physical Plant for all University facilities and systems, including HVAC, building envelope, and moisture management.
- Roles and Responsibilities
Every member of the University community is expected to be an “energy saver” as well as an “energy consumer.” Faculty, staff, and students will strive to reduce energy consumption by minimizing energy usage and using energy only when needed. Every employee is expected to conserve energy and make a positive contribution to maximize energy conservation at the University.
2.1. Building Administrators
The Rector will assign a dean, director, or department head to serve as the building administrator for each University building. Each building administrator in conjunction with the applicable energy conservation educator will monitor total energy usage of his or her building.
2.2. Energy Conservation Educators
Energy conservation educators:
- assist building administrators in energy management and provide regular reports to building administrators indicating performance with regards to energy savings;
- perform routine audits of all facilities and communicate the audit results to the building administrators; and
- suggest adjustments to the University’s energy management systems, including temperature settings and run times for HVAC and other controlled equipment.
2.3. Students
When occupying University facilities, students are expected to conserve energy. Students living in dormitories are responsible for implementing the room energy guidelines developed by the Physical Plant available on their website.
2.4 Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff must proactively support the University’s sustainability goals regarding heating, cooling, lighting, and energy conservation. When occupying their classrooms and offices, faculty and staff members are responsible for complying with the specific measures listed in Section 3. herein and implementing the energy guidelines developed by the Physical Plant available on their website.
- Specific Measures
3.1. Lighting
Lights should be turned off when not needed and energy efficient lighting should be used whenever possible.
3.2. Heating
Windows and doors of conditioned spaces should be kept closed. During the heating season, room temperatures should be maintained between 20-22°C when occupied. Whenever it is economically and technically feasible, temperatures should be allowed to drop to 13°C during unoccupied periods. The only exceptions to this policy are special areas such as animal care units or research facilities that require constant or warmer temperatures. Areas that are too hot or too cold should be reported as soon as possible to energy@mesarya.university.
3.3. Cooling
Windows and doors of conditioned spaces should be kept closed. During the cooling season, room temperatures should be maintained between 23-25°C when occupied. Ceiling fans should be operated in all areas that have them. Air conditioning should not be used in classrooms during the summer sessions unless the classrooms are being used for instruction or extracurricular activities. Whenever it is economically and technically feasible, temperatures should be allowed to rise to 85°F during unoccupied periods. The only exceptions to this policy are special areas such as animal care units or research facilities that require constant or cooler temperatures. Areas that are too hot or too cold should be reported as soon as possible to the Physical Plant.
3.4. Computing Equipment
Reasonable steps should be taken to save energy when using computer equipment by following IT energy saving guidelines listed on the IT Sustainability Webpage. Computers may need to be left on at certain times for installation of security patches and virus scanning, so computer users should follow the computing energy saving practices established by their IT administrator. For additional information refer to UAP 2520 “Computer Security Controls and Guidelines.”
3.5. Office machines
Office machines and appliances should be turned off when not in use, especially each night and during unoccupied times. Fax machines should remain on. Ideally office machines and appliances should be unplugged at night or a power strip should be used which is turned off when the machines and appliances not in use. All capable office machines should be programmed for the “energy saver” mode using the power management feature.
3.6. Procurement
Energy star products must be purchased whenever available. For examples, see the NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC) Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star products list. Additional information and guidelines are available on the Purchasing Department website.
- Monitoring and Reporting
The Physical Plant will maintain records of energy consumption and the cost of energy and will provide performance information to the Rector routinely, but no less than once each fiscal year. This report will be used to locate problem areas as well as determine if conservation goals are being met. Any suggestions for ways of reducing energy consumption should be submitted to the Physical Plant. University faculty, staff, and student cooperation and support of energy management is key to its success. The University may use incentive programs in compliance with UAP 3235 (“Staff Recognition and Awards”) to encourage employees to reduce energy use. Participation in energy management is a major component of MTU’s sustainability value and should be evaluated in annual performance reviews.