Sustainability

Personal Heater Borrowing Program

When you feel a bit cool in your office, you may be tempted to reach for a small space heater. However, space heaters can:

• Use upwards of 1200 watts of electricity each hour
• Heat rooms to uncomfortable temperatures for other employees
• Cause heating systems to operate abnormally (such as increasing the flow of cool air to a room with a space heater)

Because of these factors space heaters are prohibited in county facilities, unless approved by a Department Head and the Facility Operations Manager (see R20090167).

If you are cold in your office area, the Sustainability Department recommends that you:

1. Bring an extra sweater for use at your desk
2. Contact Facilities Management
3. Use a foot, seat, or personal heater that uses under 250 watts

A 250 watt heater costs only $4 a month to operate, compared to a 1200 watt space heater that costs $21 to operate. While these personal devices create comfortable warmth for the user, the devices should not produce excessive heat that impacts the office environment.

The Sustainability Office now has a limited number of personal heating devices for employees to borrow and try out. We have one of each of the personal heating products described below. These devices are available to all employees to test out for a two-week period. The products listed below are energy efficient, affordable, and highly reviewed.

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