5 TIPS FOR SUMMER ENERGY CONSERVATION

campus buildings and a blue sky overhead

Jason Vallance, Building Performance Services Manager

May 22, 2025

KEEP MSU GREEN! 

Simple actions save energy and costs. You can make a difference.  

  1.  Exercising thermostat control is one of the best ways that individuals can help the university reduce energy costs as the seasons change. The typical range observed across campus is 70 – 72 degrees for heating / cooling respectively. However, applying a best practice of 70 – 75 degrees for heating and cooling will save the university an estimated $550,000 annually. Compensate for temperature in your space by dressing for personal comfort.  
     
  2. Turn lights OFF when you are the last one to leave a room. Use day lighting when available and keep lights off, this will help your space stay cooler in the summer months!  Turn equipment OFF (computers, monitors, copiers and other energy consuming equipment) when you leave for the day.
     
  3. Remember to close the doors of empty classrooms and conference spaces that are not being scheduled for classes / meetings. These spaces typically have the respective HVAC systems scheduled to provide cooling. If left open, conditioned air from hallways and common spaces will migrate to these areas and increase energy consumption.
     
  4. Turn window air conditioners OFF at night or to a higher temperature so that it does not run as often. Close window shades if the sun is too hot and before you leave in the evening.
     
  5. Laboratories should keep fume hood sashes closed for energy savings and safety reasons.

Additionally, there are opportunities to take advantage of remote work schedule-driven energy savings best practice initiatives being carried out. As an example, HVAC schedules were adjusted due to remote work in Eustice Cole and parts of Human Ecology which were shut off or limited to two hours on Fridays throughout the 2024 Summer Semester.  

For more information:

 

GO GREEN

THINK GREEN

ACT GREEN  

and TURN IT OFF!  

                  
 

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