The Central Heating Plant was built in 1950 with expansions and additional boiler capacity added in 1964 and 1970. Originally the boilers burned coal but were converted to gas and oil in 1970.

The plant has four boilers, two at 30,000 pounds per hours capacity, one at 70,000 and one at 120,000. Total plant capacity is 250,000 pounds of steam per hour. However we prefer to say that capacity is 120,000 pounds per hour with 100% backup. Peak loads are currently predicted to be about 90,000 pounds per hour at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus steam loads can be increased by about 30% while maintaining 100% backup capability.

Natural gas is the primary fuel with No 2 fuel oil as backup. Natural gas is purchased from a broker chosen by competitive bidding who makes arrangement for delivery over the interstate pipeline systems to the City Gate on Sharon Avenue in Houghton. From there, we pay Semco Energy to transport the gas to the plant over their local distribution system. These arrangements are the result of deregulation of the natural gas industry to introduce competition into the market place. MTU has enjoyed the benefits of this competition since 1986 as opposed to buying gas from the local gas company. The only exception during this 15 year period where it would have been cheaper to buy gas from the local gas company was in the winter of 00/01 when prices on the gas commodity markets hit all time peaks.

The Central Heating Plant & Energy Management system 24 hour 365 day a year schedule is covered by four Shift Operators, two Mechanic/Operators, one HVAC/Boiler Controls Specialist, two Student Assistants, and one Plant Mangager.