DFCM Space Heater Policy

Space Heater Policy 6 2-8.0
Effective Date 9-17-01
Revision Date 12-01-05

I. PURPOSE

Personal space heater usage in an office environment increases the risk of fire and utility demand, as well as causes improper operation of the heating and air conditions systems.

II. POLICY

The use of personal space heaters is not permitted in buildings managed by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management. Exceptions may only be made for individuals with medical related issues.

III. PROCEDURE

A. Call DFCM for assistance in regulated building temperatures.
B. Adjust clothing by wearing sweaters and layered clothing if the space is too cold, or by wearing light weight clothing and short-sleeves if the area is too warm.
C. Adjust blinds on windows with a southern exposure by closing the blinds when direct sunlight is causing excessive heat in an office.
D. Exceptions may be made for Individuals with medical related issues that may require a more significant alteration in temperature or an alternative method of heating. This will be determined on a case by case basis and will require the approval of the DFCM Facilities Coordinator.

*The following are approved specifications and safety features for acceptable space heaters upon the DFCM Facility Coordinators approval.
1 The heater shall not exceed 900 watts at its highest setting
2 It shall have a self limiting element temperature setting for the ceramic elements
3 It shall have a Tip over Safety device
4 Built in timer for hours of operation (time not to exceed 8 hours per setting)
5 Programmable thermostat built into the space heater
6 Overheat protection

Any environmental impacts that occur due to the use of any approved space heater are the responsibility of the occupying agency making the request.

All costs associated with the purchase/replacement or installation of space heaters is the responsibility of the requesting agency.

No open element or metallic element heaters will be allowed in DFCM managed facilities.

Portable Electric Space Heaters

Portable Electric Space Heaters
at: http://www.mge.com/Images/PDF/Brochures/Residential/PortableElectricSpaceHeaters.pdf

Using a portable electric space heater can be one of the most expensive ways to heat your home. At today's prices, electric heat costs at least twice as much per BTU as natural gas. You will not save money using an electric space heater unless you turn your central heating system down several degrees and use a space heater to warm just a small area.

Types of heaters:

Convection – Most portable electric space heaters circulate warm air with a fan to warm a room.

Radiant – Some heaters warm people and objects in their path through infrared radiation. This can make you feel more comfortable at a lower temperature than a convection heater because you can avoid heating an entire room. It is practical only if you stay in one spot during its use.

Cost to use

For any electrical device, the cost per hour of use depends on the wattage of the equipment. A typical electric space heater:

• Uses 1,500 watts.
• Produces 5,120 BTUs of heat per hour.
• Costs 19¢ (at $0.125 per kilowatt-hour electric rate).
• An 80% efficient natural gas furnace will cost less than 7¢ to produce that same amount of heat (at $1.03 per therm natural gas rate).

Whether you pay $30 or $300 for a space heater, if it uses 1,500 watts, you will:

• Get the same amount of heat.
• Pay the same cost per hour of use.
  

Check out a portable energy meter at no charge from your local library to measure how much electricity your portable space heater uses, and how much that amount of electricity costs.

Beware of claims too good to be true

Customers have called us about advertising they've seen for a "portable space heater that can cut your heating bill by up to 50%" or a "miracle fireplace that uses less energy than a coffee maker, yet produces an amazing 5,119 BTUs!"

These products sell for around $300, yet are no more efficient nor do they produce any more heat than a $30 space heater from your local hardware store. We strongly suggest that you check them out through an independent testing agency such as Consumer Reports.

Safety is most important

All electric space heaters carry a safety risk. For your safety, please follow these guidelines:

• Turn off when not in the room or when sleeping.
• Only buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over.
• Avoid contact with the heating element in an electric heater. Fabric can catch fire or you can burn your skin. Keep all materials at least 3 feet away. Install smoke detectors in the rooms where space heaters will be used.
• Space heaters can trip a circuit breaker or blow a fuse. If this happens repeatedly, try using a different outlet or contact your electrician.
• Never use an electric heater with an extension cord.
• Locate the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater.
• Only buy Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved heaters.
  

For more information

Call MGE's Home Energy Line and talk with our energy experts at (608) 252-7117
US DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports - http://tinyurl.com/bg5n8t

November Campaign - Your Plans for Saving Energy In Your Work Space

Nice job, E-Team Members!! Thank you for your ideas and your commitment to saving energy!

Ken Wamsley - DRE
In November, Ken has religioulsy remembered to turn off his computer and power strip at the end of each work day. He is also shopping for his personal Kill a Watt meter so that he can test the energy usage of appliances at home and at the office. He is committed to the Think! Energy campaign and plans to use the information he obtains with the meter to plan his next steps in that campaign.

Rick Leimback - DTS:
Here are a few things I do that help - I hope - to save on energy consumption:

1) Every time I pass a vacant conference room where the lights are on, I slip in a turn them off. It's amazing but I bet I can do this five or six times a week, often twice a day for the conference room next to our offices due to frequent use. I do the same for the break room on the 4th Floor.

2) I also try to be the last one leaving any meeting using a Conference Room and make it a point to turn off the lights off following the meeting. We are sure to shut down LCD projectors and laptops when not in use following presentations.

3) As I have an office with windows, I've tried to limit my use of overhead lights and illuminate only one of the two banks of lights on sunnier days. With the winter season and cloudy days I'm not always able to do this as it is too dark. I wish I had thought of this in the summer, but will remember it for next year.


Phil Powlick - DPU:
For those with laptop computers, if you tend to forget to turn off your power strip, you can still save energy by undocking your laptop from its docking station at the end of your work day. It will draw less energy than if it were to remain docked all night.

Mia Larson - Admin:
Mia Larson has placed recycling bins in the common areas in Administration and Consumer Protection for cans and plastic bottles. Both offices are now saving resources in ways they had not done previously. They are even separating can tops for donations to the Ronald McDonald House. Way to go Mia, Commerce and DCP!!!

Kathy Berg - CORP:
“Since I have a eastern facing window, I draw the blinds in the morning to save on the sun heating up my office. I have not had to use my electric fan for over two years since I started doing this. Enough light comes in to light the office, but it doesn't get stifling hot any longer.”

Shauna Benvegnu-Springer - DPU:
Shauna is continuing with her habit developed in the October Campaign of turning off appliances in her work space and switching off power strips at the end of the work day. At home, Shauna purchased a Honeywell Touch Screen Thermostat at Home Depot, which she installed in 30 minutes. It controls the furnace and the air conditioner in her home. She has programmed four different temperatures for the thermostat to reach each day, so that the house is nice and warm when they wake up in the morning, but set at a cooler temperature when everyone is at work or at school. The device claims to reduce gas and electric usage by 30%. Shauna says, “what a luxury in the name of saving energy.”

Jennie Jonsson - DRE
Brent Bateman - Admin OPRO:
Brent and Jennie have invented an ingenious device to divert cold air coming into their offices from overhead vents. They used a paper box lid and packing tape, placing the lid against the vent with the closed sides toward their desks and an opened side facing the office door. Jennie has also given up the use of a space heater, which I will gladly replace with an E-Team Member fleece throw: http://utahcommerce.blogspot.com/2009/11/picture.html. Let me know if you are also ready to take this step.

David Furlong - DCP - Energy Savings at Home
"I moved into my home about 3 1/2 years ago. About six months later I changed nearly every light bulb to CFLs. I have not had to replace any of the CFLs in three years. This spring we had insulation added to the attic through the gas company and power company rebate program. This summer we put in a new air conditioner and high efficiency furnace. My electric bill has been cut in half since I moved in and my gas bill is also much less."

Anonymous:
Suggests that people bring their own cups/mugs to work instead of using multiple paper cups each day. Also suggests sharing electronic pencil sharpeners and staplers in common areas or return to using the older models, since these electronic gadgets use so much energy.

thinking hats

throws