Weber State University announced on April 1 the opening of the Weber State Sustainability Home, a demonstration project aimed at helping Utah residents and small businesses reduce energy use and lower utility bills. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 7 at 1:30 p.m. at 2807 Quincy Ave.
The initiative seeks to provide practical solutions for household efficiency and environmental sustainability, addressing both economic and ecological concerns in the community. Staff will guide visitors through do-it-yourself energy upgrades such as weather stripping, caulking, LED lighting, electrification projects like heat pumps and electric water heaters, as well as renewable energy options including rooftop solar.
“Weber State is bringing industry-standard sustainability concepts down to the residential level and making them easy to understand and implement,” said Bonnie Christiansen, Sustainability Programs & Engagement Manager at WSU. Christiansen added that their goal is “to educate and empower people. Sustainability is partly about learning and keeping up with technology so we can move toward a cleaner environment.” She also emphasized the importance of affordability by helping residents find funding, rebates, and incentives.
The demonstration home marks another step in Weber State’s long-term sustainability strategy. “Weber State has led by example, cutting over half of its greenhouse gas emissions and saving more than $30 million since 2007, when the university committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050,” said Alice Mulder, director of the Sustainability Practices & Research Center (SPARC). “Our efforts have been so successful…that we moved up our target by a decade, and now plan to be carbon-neutral by 2040.” SPARC recently used a $2.5 million grant for expanded outreach supporting this project.
Community members will have access to free workshops on energy efficiency upgrades along with tours of the fully electrified house. One-to-one consulting services are also available for households interested in improving their own homes’ efficiency.
Weber State University advances community transformation through civic engagement and public service according to its official website. The university operates from its campus on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains according to its official website.
As Utah’s first comprehensive regional university according to its official website, Weber State provides educational offerings such as teaching, research opportunities, experiential learning programs—and supports diverse students aiming to transform lives through supportive learning environments according to its official website. It operates under authorization from Utah Code granting it degree-conferring powers according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Christiansen said: “We want this home to be a place where we have genuine conversations… We’re looking to bring all those same practices and successes we’ve seen at Weber State to our neighbors here in Ogden and across the state.”