When an outdated heating system caused the water temperature in Storer Hall’s tropical fish lab to drop to dangerously low levels, Facilities Management’s Building Maintenance Services (BMS) HVAC and Energy and Engineering team collaborated with the Laskowski Lab researchers to improve operations.   

The tanks in the lab are kept at a warm temperature of 80-85 degrees F (27 – 29 degrees C) to mimic the typical living environment for the tropical saltwater fish. The space depended on the HVAC system to constantly blow warm air into the room to warm the tanks. These requirements resulted in inefficient running of the building’s steam heating system. In addition to that, any temporary steam outage could jeopardize the tank environment and subsequent research.   

John Coon of BMS HVAC Controls shop proposed a solution to make a water heater for the tanks independent of the building-wide heating system Facilities Management (FM) Energy and Engineering staff Sam Cole and Tom Ryan collaborated with Laskowski Lab researchers and the water tank manufacturer to identify a suitable water heater. No wiring modifications to the heaters or tanks were necessary, so the researchers installed them smoothly.   

This project has created a more dependable and sustainable heating source for the lab while still allowing the ability to fall back on the HVAC system in the event of temporary maintenance. FM teams are not always able to work directly with researchers on a project like this. By working directly with researchers, Tom was able to procure the correct equipment to both save energy and improve research operations.   

Sam Cole and his team expect a 2-5% reduction in steam use from the building, which consumes $60,000 in steam every year, thereby reducing the building’s carbon footprint. 

Thank you to Energy and Engineering, BMS, and Laskowski Lab teams whose innovation made this project possible!