Automatic doors bring cold inside
An Opinion by Rob Trishman
Capital Times Staff Reporter thing we do without thinking, but it is something we need to think about. For
instance, there is a universal symbol on the door. This symbol is not some myste-
This just in: It's cold outside. Yes, that's right, "Gee, thanks rious "mark of the chosen one." This is a handicapped symbol, the same one
Mr. Obvious." Penn State has one of the top meteorology pro-found in parking spaces at virtually every store, mall, school, church, and along
grams and weather services in the country. But we don't exact- side streets in appropriate locations.
ly need that expertise to notice the tundra-like conditions in The Americans with Disabilities Act requires this symbol
the area.
and the accommodations associated with it. Those of us not
The best thing about this cold weather is being able to I am sure that no one goes
allowed to park in a space because that symbol is there
escape it by entering one of the buildings on campus, partic- through those doors with an should treat these doors with that symbol the same way; save
ularly the Olmsted building where most students have class. evil agenda, thinking, ITAHA! it for those who need it.
It's great to walk in and feel that warmth which brings our
ears and extremities back to normal. I will cause this lobby and Also, one of the reasons that buildings and homes use
Our tuition dollars are definitely at work here. It costs everyone in it to be cold while insulation is to prevent cold air from coming in, thus saving
bills o f thi s o
energy bills. Because the manual doors require you to
about $145,000 per school year to heat the Olmsted building, driving the energy
open one before the other, the outside one has enough time
according to Bill Moody, Director of Utilities at the Penn• $ )
campus sky high! • to close before the inside one is open, and vice versa. But
State Physical Plant. He said that Olmsted uses about 48
when the automatic doors open, it is both doors at the same
percent of the heat on campus.
time, and thus a big draft of cold air comes through them while almost no cold
As we were sitting in the lobby in Olmsted selling T-shirts over finals last air comes through the other doors.
semester and during the second week of this semester, I noticed many people
The automatic doors also require electricity to open and close. Unnecessary
walking through the automatic doors. I would estimate around 30 out of approxi
use of electricity, such as leaving lights on when nobody is in a room, is also an
mately 50 people at any given time took this route. But only about four people unwise decision that we usually make unconsciously.
actually needed to. The repeated use of the doors caused a lot of cold air to rush A less logical reason would be just doing a good deed for someone by holding
into the heated lobby.
the door for them, particularly someone carrying a lot of books. Gentlemen,
Does this cold air have an effect on those heating bills? "Yes, definitely," said chivalry is not dead. Also, a show of gratitude from those of us who are fortunate
Moody.
- to have full use of all four limbs could involve actually using those limbs instead
This is my plea, that those of us who do not need to use the automatic doors in
of letting them hang as we saunter through a modem convenience not intended
Olmsted stop using them. I know, it's human nature to take the path of least for us.
resistance. I am sure that no one goes through those doors with an evil agenda, This may seem like a small gripe, but I believe that it can in some way con
thinking, "HAHA! I will cause this lobby and everyone in it to be cold while tribute to keeping the University's energy bills (and maybe even tuition?) at bay.
driving the energy bills of this campus sky high!" Let's do our part to use our resources wisely.
I am also not accusing anyone of being inconsiderate or lazy. This is some-