The primary goal of Emerson College’s Temperature Standards is to create a comfortable indoor environment for all students, faculty, and staff while managing resources effectively. By focusing on energy efficiency, these guidelines help extend the lifespan of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower utility costs. The temperature standards below align with practices from our peer institutions and follow the standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s residential heating requirements, and workplace temperature recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards.
Benefits of the Standards
- Clear Temperature Expectations: These standards establish clear temperature ranges across campus, helping the Facilities Management team address temperature-related concerns efficiently.
- Financial Efficiency: By reducing energy consumption, these standards help control utility costs and support efforts to maintain steady room and board expenses.
- Commitment to Sustainability: By minimizing energy use, these standards contribute to Emerson College’s sustainability goals and help mitigate the broader environmental impacts of climate change.
Academic and Administrative Buildings
Because academic and administrative spaces are not used 24/7, temperatures are set according to building schedules. Temperatures are set based on whether the building is “occupied” or “unoccupied”:
- Occupied hours: one hour before building opening time until building closing time
- Unoccupied hours: building closing time until one hour before building opening time
The following temperature settings apply:
| Building status | Winter temperature | Summer temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied | 68–70°F | 72–74°F |
| Unoccupied | 55°F | 78°F |
In spaces with individual temperature control, such as classrooms, libraries, athletic facilities, and dining halls, the thermostats should be set to a temperature between 68 and 70°F during winter and between 72 and 74°F during summer.
Note: Temperatures may fluctuate by as much as 4°F.
This guidance applies to all academic and administrative buildings on the Emerson College campus, including both academic and residential spaces, and is in effect year-round, from the academic year to the summer period.
Residential Buildings
Residential spaces are considered “occupied” 24/7 when there are residents living in the buildings. The following temperature settings will apply:
| Building status | Winter temperature | Summer temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied | 68–70°F | 72–74°F |
| Unoccupied | 55°F | 78°F |
Seasonal Heating/Cooling Transition
The majority of Emerson’s buildings are equipped with systems that, at any given time, can only heat or cool. Each fall, typically in October, and each spring, typically in April, Facilities Management transitions the buildings from cooling to heating and vice versa. Temperature fluctuations during the New England shoulder seasons in early fall and late spring make it especially difficult to satisfy the preferred temperature settings of all residents
Facilities Management transitions between the heating and cooling systems based on weather patterns, building systems, and usage, typically over a two-week period in October and April. While individual days may feature warmer weather, the transition will be made based on overall weather conditions and the functionality of building heating and cooling systems. In cases of severe cold (below 32°F for more than 48 hours), heating will be reinstated promptly.
Additional Notes
Heat Waves
Campus cooling systems are designed to handle typical summer conditions in our area, including occasional heat waves. In extreme heat (above 90°F), systems may only be able to cool spaces to 75°F. To support this, air conditioning systems are often run overnight during heat waves to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
To help manage cooling, occupants are encouraged to minimize heat load by reducing lighting, shutting down unnecessary equipment, and closing doors and windows when not in use.
Space Heaters Use
Please note space heaters are only permitted under specific circumstances, such as long-term HVAC system failures, and only if authorized and provided by Facilities Management. Unauthorized use of electric heaters is prohibited due to fire safety concerns and their potential to interfere with accurate temperature regulation, which could affect the comfort of other occupants.
Need help?
Please send questions about Emerson’s Temperature Standards to Facilities Management at facilities [at] emerson.edu (facilities[at]emerson[dot]edu).
If you are experiencing temperature issues in your space, please submit a work order to Facilities Management at facilities.emerson.edu.