In the midst of a harsh winter, it seems ETSU’s utility bills are feeling the heat.
In an effort to decrease the amount of money spent on utilities this year the university has lowered the temperature in all buildings by 2 degrees to 68.
During the summer months the temperature will be set 2 degrees higher at 75.
ETSU spent $3.6 million last year on utilities, which included maintenance staff salaries, fuels and electricity. As of now the bills have climbed by approximately $170,000 over the same period last year.
This isn’t the first time temperatures on campus have had their ups and downs. The same thing was done last year.
David Collins, vice president of business and finance, said he doesn’t know of any complaints received last year when the temperature change was made.
“I think most people understand why we’re doing it,” he said.
While the university’s buildings are primarily heated by natural gas, some coal is burned as supplemental heat when the weather is extremely cold.
Collins said they try to keep coal usage to a minimum, although it’s cheaper, because coal burns a lot dirtier than natural gas and isn’t as efficient. Collins said ETSU wants to do all it can to use fuels that are environmentally friendly.
The electricity used to run the air conditioning in the summer is cheaper than both coal and natural gas. “We are blessed with the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority),” Collins said. Blessed because the TVA provides the cheapest power in the entire country.
Several years ago new boilers that use natural gas were installed so the university could move away from using coal. Unfortunately, they were installed right about the time natural gas prices skyrocketed. Also, getting more money from the state to help with higher bills is tough because of Tennessee’s own budget woes.
ETSU is getting some money from the state this year to fix steam-line pipes. Students may have noticed the scattered holes on campus.
The pipes, which are used to heat most of the buildings on campus, are close to 40 years old and are leaking, contributing to higher utility costs.
Collins is asking everyone to keep conservation in mind by doing things such as turning out lights in rooms not being used.
Any concerns about building temperature change should be directed to the Physical Plant.

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