UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — At the conclusion of the fall semester, Penn State will once again institute a Holiday Heat Reduction Program, aimed at lowering building temperatures during the holiday break. This annual energy savings initiative saves the University energy costs and has proven to be an important factor in helping pursue its energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Over the holiday break, as stated in Penn State's Energy Conservation Policy, temperatures in many campus facilities will be reduced to conserve energy, reduce emissions and generate savings for the University.
The 2025 Holiday Heat Reduction Program schedule is as follows:
- Dec. 23, 2025: Participating buildings begin to transition to unoccupied mode, staggered by area between 5 and 11 p.m. Temperatures set to 50°F and no ventilation.
- Jan. 1, 2026: Participating buildings return to 60°F, staggered by area between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to minimize impacts on campus utility plants.
- Jan. 2, 2026: Participating buildings remain in normal unoccupied mode with 60°F temperatures expected through the weekend.
- Jan. 5, 2026: All buildings return to occupied mode with 70°F morning start up and resume their normal occupied schedules.
Research and critical spaces will remain unchanged during the break period.
University Park exceptions
At University Park, there are opportunities for exceptions to the above schedule. Faculty and staff who have a business-related need are asked to submit exception requests using the following procedure. Requests must be received by Monday, Dec. 1.
- Specify the dates and time of day for the exception — which must be endorsed by the appropriate dean or administrative officer — and send to the responsible Facility Coordinator.
- Requests should indicate a specific work-related need. They may also relate to facilities serving the general public or to laboratories where research projects could be compromised by a temperature setback.
- The Facility Coordinator will submit the requests to the Penn State Office of Physical Plant.
Other locations
At campuses and locations other than University Park, the campus executive office or administrative officer is responsible for determining and implementing the required setback program, reviewing any exception requests, and making final decisions in coordination with the Office of Physical Plant.