Campus thermostats set back for winter recess and closure

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—For the third consecutive year, thermostats across campus are being set back to conserve energy during winter recess and the holiday closure of Western Michigan University offices.

According to Pete Strazdas, associate vice president for facilities management, the setback has resulted in an annual energy savings of $165,000 and is part of an overall campus energy consumption decrease of 26 percent during the past two decades.

President John M. Dunn stopped by WMU's Beam Power Plant Dec. 17 to learn more about the efforts and get involved as Strazdas, energy systems specialist Kirk Dillery and others reviewed and began activating this year's setback. More than 3,000 thermostats around the campus are being adjusted from the control room of the power plant.

Temperatures will return to normal ranges in time for the Jan. 3 reopening of campus offices.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.