Faculty reduces footprint

Faculty and staff at Weber State University are trading in their space heaters for heating pads in order to save energy this winter.
“We want everybody on campus to understand the importance of environmental issues, educate as many people as we can,” said Jacob Cain, facilities management energy manager at WSU.
The space heater excavation is part of WSU’s new Climate Action Plan. The plan is actively trying to lower WSU’s carbon footprint and become more sustainable and green.
Space heaters can use anywhere from 1,500-2,500 watts. The new heating pads use 35-75 watts, which will save the university several hundred dollars a year in electricity.
When electricity is used, the fuel burned to create the electricity sends carbon dioxide into the air. Because the air traps energy, the air warms and causes heat.
“The less carbon dioxide we put in the air the less, theoretically, we’ll experience global warming,” said Ron Deckert, a WSU botany professor. “The less global warming we have, the less problems we’ll have.”
Deckert said global warming contributed to climate changes including catastrophic storms and droughts.
Cain said he hopes that eventually all the professors and staff will give up their space heaters. Even WSU President Ann Millner recently traded in her space heater for a heating pad.
Space heaters have caused problems in the past. When winter comes, people turn Space heaters have caused problems in the past. When winter comes, people turn on their space heaters all at once and it trips the breakers. It costs the university time and money to call electricians to come and fix the problems. 
Space heaters are considered fire hazards and are against state policy; they are not allowed on campus, Cain said.
Some people place their space heater by their thermostat. When their room heats up, the thermostat tries to cool it down, also cooling down the other rooms the thermostat controls.
Jeannette Lowe, a Facilities Management customer service representative, said she loves the new heating pads.
“I suggest that everybody use them instead of a space heater,” Lowe said. “It kind of keeps you at your desk, but it’s really nice. Even if you have to stand all day, it’s really nice and cushy. It’s carpeted and it’s just so much better than a space heater for keeping you warm.”
Cain gave three main reasons for exchanging space heaters for heating pads.
“State compliance is one of the main reasons,” Cain said. “We want to be in compliance with state policy. Save money. Carbon footprint reduction — this is part of our sustainability, going green.”
Facilities Management said replacing space heaters isn’t all they’re doing to promote the new Climate Action Plan.
“Some of the things are simple like this, replace space heaters and stuff and generate awareness that way,” Cain said. “A lot of the things go on behind the scenes. We spend millions oN doing upgrades to lights making them more efficient, putting in high-efficiency heating and cooling.”
Deckert gave examples of things students could do to help the environment, including taking public transportation, biking or walking instead of driving, turning down the thermostat and recycling.
“We all have to do it,” Deckert said. “It doesn’t do much good if you have the good that some people are doing balanced by people that are creating a greater carbon footprint.”