In an effort to conserve energy during the warmer summer months, Texas Tech has instituted a modified work schedule for its staff that will last through the end of August.
Tech employees who do not work in offices that routinely interact with the public have the option of working from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 30-minute break for lunch, according to a Tech announcement. All other employees will retain the normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday schedule.
"We've been doing this for years," said Mike Faires, associate vice president for operations at Tech. "There's a win-win for it. The employer gets to come in earlier when it's not so hot, and they get to leave earlier."
The altered work schedule promotes the conservation of energy, he said. The university's cooling systems will not have to run as long, helping to reduce the campus' energy usage and cost.
These hours help alleviate some of Tech's energy expenses, Faires said. Right now the university spends about $10 million per year on energy. The lights alone make up about 40 percent of the electricity bill.
The early work hours will help cut back on traffic issues in Lubbock as well, he said. This will help with energy consumption both on and off campus.
"We don't have a big traffic problem here, but there is a rush hour," Faires said. "This program breaks that up."
In addition to the summer energy conservation initiative, Tech is exploring several long-term ways to help curtail its energy consumption, he said. The campus is currently looking at using more energy efficient vehicles and more effective lighting and cooling systems.
"A more energy efficient chiller - which creates chilled air or chilled water - might cost $50,000 or more, but it will save $10,000 a year in operating costs," said Mike Ellicott, Tech vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction. "You have to design to the building to be energy efficient."
The structure and style of Tech's campus naturally helps reduce the amount of energy that it consumes, Ellicott said. The Spanish Renaissance architectural style of Tech's buildings provides shading and resistance to heat.
"The design is very good for this climate because they're pretty thick walls," Ellicott said. "The windows are a small percentage of the exterior and they are set back in, so there's already some shading. The Spanish Renaissance architecture as a whole is a good hot weather design."
All Tech employees will resume their normal work schedules on Aug. 22.
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