AS snow falls and winter winds feel as sharp as icicles, Capilano University employees have the unique pleasure of being fleeced.
Capilano University has handed out 200 fleece blankets to employees at its North Vancouver campus over the last month as part of Get UR Fleece On, a campaign to rid the school of space heaters.
"Space heaters are huge energy hogs," said Laura Williams, the university's energy manager. "The overarching goal for the initiative ultimately would be to get rid of all the space heaters across our campus."
Struggling with a cold campus and the staff's tendency to warm up offices with the self-contained heaters, Williams discussed the problem with her colleagues.
"I've had conversations over the past nine months or so, and other energy managers are struggling with the same issue," she said.
The blanket campaign arose from those conversations, and Williams decided to pitch the idea to FortisBC and BC Hydro.
FortisBC pledged $5,000 and Capilano University also used about $1,500 from a BC Hydro grant.
With $6,500 to spend, Williams bought the blankets, although she said she may have underestimated the demand.
"There's still a waitlist for blankets across campus," Williams said, discussing the 50 staff members waiting for one of the blankets made from recycled material.
Get UR Fleece On is part of a broader movement at Capilano to reduce energy consumption. The school has saved $424,000 on its energy bill since implementing an energy management program in 2008, according to Williams.
Despite substantial reductions, Capilano was mandated by LiveSmart BC to pay $54,000 on carbon offsets in 2010.
Williams is hoping Get UR Fleece On will help reduce those costs. "It's gotten overwhelmingly positive response from executives, staff, and faculty," she said.
Still, the university will probably not be able to judge the program's effectiveness until spring, according to Williams.
Capilano University campuses in Squamish and Sechelt are expected to receive batches of fleece blankets for distribution in early February.
