Setting the temperature in the Auditorium at a level that is comfortable for everyone in a service is a monumental task. I'm not sure who I'd rather be, the worship leader who picks the songs we sing on Sunday or Jay Hall who sets the temperature - both can be lose-lose positions. I don't expect to make you feel more comfortable in the Auditorium through this entry, I just hope to shed some light on how things transpire.
The Auditorium is served by five air conditioning/heat pump units. I'm not a HVAC specialist, so if you want details of how they work, you'll need to contact your local HVAC provider. But from the little I know, heat pumps run off electricity and blow air. Heat pumps heat adequately, but have a reputation for pumping air that is cooler to the touch than comparable gas or oil systems. In our experience, the heat pumps struggle with the outdoor temperature fluctuations common to the spring and fall months.
The thermostats are set around 68-70 degrees throughout the year.
During a service ushers monitor the temperature of the Auditorium and request Jay Hall or myself to adjust the thermostat for that day. If you ever see Jay answer his mobile phone while playing the drums during a worship service you'll have an idea of what might be occurring. :)
