Jul. 27--CHAPEL HILL -- Students returning to UNC's campus next month might find temperatures inside classrooms a little warmer than usual or a little cooler than normal during winter months.

Under a new "Energy Use Policy" recently adopted, UNC officials want thermostats set no lower than 78 degrees during summer months or higher than 69 degrees during cooler weather.

Campus facilities, such as labs, animal facilities, museums, libraries and computer-server spaces, places where strict temperatures must be observed, will be exempt from the new policy.

The energy policy was put in place to reduce energy consumption as part of the university's commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050.

It is also intended to cut energy costs as prescribed by state legislators grappling with an extraordinarily tight budget year.

Chris Martin, director of energy management at UNC, said enforcing the policy will be difficult because of the age of some of the university's heating and cooling systems.

He said whether the policy is successful will depend on students, faculty and staff.

"It's up to them to set it [thermostats properly]," Martin said. "We're not going to be the thermostat police. There are a lot of things the occupants of our buildings can do to help us in this process."

Here's how campus officials are asking the campus to help conserve energy:

--People should always dress appropriately for the weather and for temperatures inside buildings.

--Because lighting consumes a considerable amount of energy in most buildings, simply turning off unnecessary lights when there is adequate daylight and turning off lights whenever people step out of their offices will help conserve energy.

--Turn off all lights and nonessential computers and equipment at the end of the day.

Martin said UNC officials expect to receive complaints about the new policy.

"There will likely be some situations that aren't ideal for people," Martin said. "We're trying to strike a balance between keeping it comfortable and saving energy."

The announcement comes on the heels of the Bain Report, a major efficiency study commissioned by the university to identify methods the university can employ to lower operating costs.

Produced by Boston-based Bain Company's Atlanta office, the report found that the university can save between $11 million and $16 million by better using buildings and decreasing energy consumption.

Martin said the new energy policy, developed in conjunction with the Sustainability Office, is not directly linked to the Bain report.

"It just so happens they saw what we saw and they believe the same thing we believe," Martin said.

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