Air conditioning systems are designed to achieve a comfortable temperature for people in the building. This optimum temperature will change depending on the season. Furthermore, since all people are different, some are more sensitive to cold and hot, so a balanced temperature must be fixed. And remember that the best way to control the temperature is by clothes!
In the air-conditioned areas, windows and doors must remain closed.
Heating
If you are cold, maybe other colleagues are hot. Therefore, the first step is to wrap yourself up. If you are often cold, it is best to keep a pullover or any similar garment at your workplace, so you will have it at hand when you feel cold.
In winter, the optimal temperature is not high. In fact, it is intended that the temperature difference with the outside not to be significant.
At the University heat is obtained by burning natural gas, except for three buildings that still work with diesel boilers.
Temperature control in heating systems during winter
During the winter months heating systems are launched throughout the University. These systems consist primarily of natural gas boilers with radiators or diffusers, and at other places individually controlled air conditioners.
In cold days there is a tendency to increase the heating above the comfort temperature. This temperature may be pleasant when entering the building. But throughout the day is too hot, and finally when you leave the building there is a strong contrast to the cold outside, contributing to colds.
It should be reminded to heating systems’ users that when these appliances are turned up they work to the maximum until get the set temperature, so, setting a higher temperature is of no use.
Following the indications of optimum temperatures in the workplace (RD 486/1997 and RD 1826/2009 amending Royal Decree 1027/2007), the University of Valencia will regulate the heating systems so that the work areas be in the recommended temperature of 21 °C. The transit spaces will be conditioned and the temperature will exceed 14 °C but always will be below 20 °C.
Cooling
During Summertime, temperature will be regulated to 26 ºC, following the indications of optimum temperatures in the workplace (RD 486/1997 and RD 1826/2009 amending Royal Decree 1027/2007).
If you are hot, maybe other colleagues are cold. Therefore, the first step is use light clothing.
In case of turning on the conditioned air, remember to close all doors and windows.
To adjust the air conditioning, the temperature should not be put to a minimum (also then have cold). Although you put it at 27 °C, the device will operate at maximum until it reaches the desired temperature. And very important: always remember to turn it off when leaving.
Cooling systems work almost exclusively with electricity, for this reason it produces greenhouse gas emissions .
The summer months can reach the maximum power demand due to air conditioning units, because the distribution network is saturated and there are frequent blackouts. This increased demand requires a greater production with fuels.
Temperature control in heating systems during summer
Optimizing the setpoint temperature of the air conditioning systems is crucial for the welfare of the occupants and for the reduction of the energetic consumption.
During the summer months the thermal discomfort occurs mainly by excessively low temperatures, i.e., excess of cold due to the air conditioning. This is mainly due to two factors:
During hot days, when you go into an overly refrigerated building, thermal comfort is nice, because you feel a sense of relief. But throughout the day these temperatures are too low for sedentary jobs and foster the summer colds.
For this reason, in the University of Valencia the air conditioning systems are regulated so that the temperature inside the buildings be 26 °C.
