Stoke Hall
HEATING
Stoke is heated with electricity. Because electricity is our most expensive form of
energy, heating conservation efforts are especially important in Stoke. Each room has
an individual wall-mounted thermostat. The thermostat turns the electric heater on
and off. The electric heater only has two settings: ON and OFF. The
electric heater will not get any hotter as you turn your thermostat up higher...that will
just overheat your room and waste energy.
If rooms are not warm enough during the winter, those problems are often caused by items blocking the natural convective flow of warm air from the radiators. That convective flow causes cool air at the floor level to be drawn into the bottom of the radiator, as warm air rises from the top of the radiator. That sets up a circular pattern of warm air flowing up and out into the room.
If any items are located above the radiator, or on the floor in front of the radiator, the circular convective flow will be blocked and the room will not heat efficiently.
If rooms are too hot during the winter, the thermostat may be set too high or there may be an equipment failure that should be reported.
Windows that are not tightly latched can also cause cold rooms. The weather-stripping material on most windows will not seal properly unless the window latch is engaged. In Stoke, if you can slide your window open without having to squeeze the latching mechanism, you did not properly close your window.
In addition to the wall-mounted thermostat, a central control system regulates the
electric heaters. Our electric bill from PSNH includes a "demand charge"
in addition to charges for the actual electricity we use. The demand charge is based
on our maximum use of electricity during any given half-hour period during the month.
Our demand charge is usually between $50,000 and $80,000 per month.
The demand charge only applies between 7AM and 8PM Monday through Friday. During
that period the central system rotates the heaters by floor, allowing so many minutes of
heat per half hour. As it gets colder outdoors, the heaters are on longer during
each half hour period. By centrally rotating the heaters in all the electrically
heated residence halls in a coordinated manner, we can reduce our electricity demand
charge. That's why you may notice that your room is sometimes cooler during
weekdays.
VENTILATION
There is a no building-wide fan-forced ventilation
system.
DOMESTIC HOT WATER
Domestic hot water for sinks is heated by a steam
line from the Central Heating Plant. There are plans to convert the domestic hot
water to a local natural gas fired boiler during the summer of 1998. An electric
recirculating pump continuously circulates domestic hot water throughout the building,
reducing the waiting time when you open a faucet.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSERVE ENERGY
Do not use electric space heaters. Report problems with your heating
system that require the use of a space heater.
Do not block electric heaters or wall-mounted thermostats with furniture or other items.
Keep thermostats at conservative settings (68 -70) when you're in during the day, lower
when sleeping, and 60 when you'll be out for a while.
During holidays and breaks, DO NOT turn your thermostat below 68. During those time
periods the heat is setback via a central control system. If you turn your
thermostat below 68, you WILL have a cold room for a few days after you return.
Keep windows closed and tightly latched during the heating season.
See the water conservation pages on this web site for ways to conserve water, especially
hot water.
Turn off all lights and electrical devices when leaving your area.
Turn off lights in common areas when not in use.
