Max Schneider, Aden Nevler and Patrick Shive display devices available for checkout at the tool-lending library. Ella Banken//AS Review
By Sydnee Smith
Last year, graduate students Aden Nevler, Patrick Shive and undergraduate student Max Schneider applied and received a Sustainable Action Fund grant. With the grant, they have created an energy tool-lending library. They have purchased 58 energy devices, such as light meters, infrared thermometers, space heaters, heat flow devices and more.
The library that Nevler, Shive and Schneider operate is open to all Western students and staff. Nelver mentioned the devices aren’t just for students in energy related classes. “We pigeonhole ourselves because we are energy guys,” Schneider said.
With these devices, students are also able to use them around their own homes to see what is taking up energy and how much.
Shive said the project was inspired by Smart Buildings Center in Seattle, which focuses on energy efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings.
“I measured the temperature of my oven and it was 100 degrees higher than it was supposed to be,” Nevler said.
He also mentioned testing the temperature of his water and how that was also off. By fixing the temperature of his oven and water, he was able to save money on his electrical bill.
Shive said students wonder why their electrical bills might be high. But it can be an easy fix by using the devices to find out what is using so much energy and use that information to make some sort of change.”
At the end of the year, they hope to see what devices are checked out the most and expand on what they have. They also want to use the devices to to set up demonstrations in classes where they are relevant.
Nevler, Shive and Schneider have a corner of the Science Math and Technology Education building library where they rent the devices. Anyone with a current Western ID card can check devices out.
Devices can be checked out Monday, Wednesday and Friday from one to four. Most devices are free, but pricier devices require a deposit. Devices can be checked out for a week, but extending that time is available.
