By Timothy Ritterbusch, Staff Writer
Over the summer, campus facilities staff began converting the campus heating system to improve energy efficiency. The new system heats water to 135 degrees Fahrenheit rather than the 212 degrees required by the old system. According to campus Director of Facilities Jay Bieszke, the change is expected to reduce main campus energy consumption by an estimated 25.4%.
Work on the system took place in the center of campus, impacting Williston Hall, Memorial Student Center, Blanchard Hall, Adams Hall and the Student Services Building. Additionally, a distribution line was run from McAllister Hall to the front of Armerding Center for Music and Arts, completing the underground hot water distribution system.
The only buildings that have not been converted to the new system are Edman Chapel, Billy Graham Hall and the school library. However, according to Bieszke, the library’s heating system will be converted alongside its upcoming renovation, and “we hope to get Edman converted at the same time as the Library.”
Once Edman and the library are updated, Schell Hall will be torn down since its boilers will no longer be needed. The Quad will then expand to fill its place. The timeline for Billy Graham Hall’s conversion remains undetermined.
In addition to the heating project, Wheaton College has taken other steps towards sustainability. The solar panels installed in the Billy Graham Hall parking lot and Meyer Science Center were built to gain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification. The Memorial Student Center was remodeled to gain LEED Silver certification.
One notable casualty of the water system construction was the large pine used for Wheaton’s annual Christmas tree lighting. Located by Memorial Student Center and Chase Commons, the tree was cut down to allow for work to be done underground.
Sophomore Naomi Thompson was disappointed to see the tree go. “I liked how central it was and that we got to see it and walk by it often,” she said.
There is already a replacement waiting in the wings. Biezske said that a large pine tree on the south side of MacManis-Evans Hall will serve as this year’s Christmas tree, ensuring the tradition continues.
Elsewhere on campus, bricks and grass were torn up to accommodate underground construction. Most of the brickwork and grass has now been replaced.
According to Wheaton’s website, “Wheaton College has made sustainability and the stewardship of God’s creation a top priority.” With the new heating system, Wheaton takes another step toward these goals.
