Cooler weather impacts building temperatures

Campus infrastructure is being adjusted

That crisp cool fall weather has arrived. At IPF, we’re in the process of switching our systems from cooling to heating season. With the shift in weather and freeze risk, we have shut down our larger chilled water systems. As a result, occupants in some buildings across campus may experience warmer than usual indoor temperatures if the weather becomes warm again.  Additionally, space settings automatically adjust for heating mode to a lower temperature.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to get our building systems adjusted for the change in temperatures outdoors.  

Michigan State University has established the Temperature Set Point Policy to provide comfort conditions in support of the university’s educational mission while advancing MSU’s energy conservation goals. Spaces on campus vary greatly in age, construction, and function, so exceptions will occur. Learn more at IPF heating and Cooling.

Space heaters are regulated because they can create system imbalances, overload building electrical circuits, and can use a significant amount of energy. If used improperly, space heaters can also become a fire hazard. Personal fans are permitted.

Where space temperatures fall within university guidelines, several low wattage personal heaters have been approved that meet safety and efficiency guidelines. Approved heaters are available through Spartan Marketplace.  Models are listed in the FAQ.

Learn about MSU fall heating changeover  

MSU follows a systematic and environmentally conscious approach to campus building temperatures during the cooler months. Each year, the university prepares to begin providing heat to campus facilities in the fall. The exact timing depends on weather patterns.

Factors to prepare campus buildings for this adjustment include:

• Campus priorities — Buildings that support ongoing research are prioritized over those requiring comfort cooling.
• Timing — It’s neither economically nor environmentally feasible to adjust the system more than once each fall. Appropriate timing is critical.

MSU uses steam absorption chillers to convert steam from the power plant into chilled water for cooling in many campus buildings. These systems are changed over seasonally. The cooling process for steam absorption includes:

• Converting steam from the power plant into chilled water for cooling.
• Transferring excess heat from buildings to water that is circulated through cooling towers and released into the air.

MSU also has several electric chillers that also use cooling towers that need the same seasonal activities as absorption chillers.  We need to ensure the cooling towers do not freeze with colder weather.

By taking these factors into account each year, the cooling plan for campus and other energy conservation measures ensure that the campus community has a safe and Spartan Green winter.

To report problems or ask questions about your building’s heating or cooling equipment, call Contact IPF at (517) 353‐1760 or e‐mail ContactIPF@msu.edu.