Winter break efforts achieve cost savings

Despite periods of bitterly cold temperatures, Iowa State still managed to post energy cost savings over winter break.

"We had some extreme cold weather in that period which certainly had an impact on what we potentially could have saved," said Bob Currie, director of facilities services.

During the 12-day partial shutdown, the average temperature in Ames was 14 degrees. Five days hit subzero temps, including a low of -20 degrees on Dec. 24.

"That was the coldest day of the year," Currie said. "We had to go back and turn systems on to survive that weather."

Energy conservation efforts were implemented in 23 buildings and a record 55 buildings closed during the partial shutdown. In that span, Currie said ISU averaged about $3,340 in savings each day, thanks to conservation efforts. Total savings were about $40,100 ($31,142 electricity and $8,959 steam).

The full semester break didn't provide any break from the cold. During that 23-day stretch, temperatures averaged 12 degrees, including 12 days with subzero temps. The mercury rose above freezing on just five of those days.

Conservation efforts still saved more than $4,000 on average, daily. In all, FPM saw $95,904 in savings during winter break ($85,983 electricity and $9,921 steam).

Partial shutdown savings

Semester break savings