Posted by Snow in 
In writing about the electronics practices of businesses to winterize green, an observed stumbling block emerged. When businesses and home thermostats should be set to 68 degrees, a lot of public buildings are set to cool air to a much lower temperature.
Now, how can that be green? Most advice columns solemnly prate that turnig the thermostat down can save winter fuel costs. But turning the thermostat WAY down is a mistake. This adds a power surcharge to the cost of doing business that is unnecessary. And it makes customers uncomfortable and patrons ill.
Three places I surveyed, a library, a fastfood restaurant, and an MTA bus all had their air conditioners cranked up. One problem: The weather outside is the mid-50’s of November. People were getting sick right left and center. Why this policy?
Consumers need to be just as vocal about this overchilling as they are about organically and ethically sourced products. The cost of those electric HVAC sprockets gets added into the menu, more’s the pity. Here I thought businesses shaved costs wherever they could.
I realized at the fast food restaurant the staff was actively discouraging late night walk in business by setting up the chairs for closing 3 hours before their posted closing time. I once saw a group of people walk in around 11 pm, and the place looked so closed down they asked the staff if they were still open.
Clearly the staff was engineering the cold to retard eat-in customers. The staff hosted visits from their families and kids in pajamas, and the families fully expected to be able to hang out. I’d hate to tbe the owner of that McDonald’s.
The library was a different story. To claim there was a “centralized system” when people complained about the cold arctic chill was disingenuous. I suggest they contact “central” and tell them it’s winter. This from a city government, by the way, that prides itself on green policies.
The bus powering the AC on was a case of pure carelessness. The driver was new and supposedly had no idea that passengers didn’t want icy gusts of air directed at them when it 53 degrees outside. Not understanding English, the third time I asked him to turn down the AC his supervisor translated into Spanish and he turned it off.
Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
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