New Heater in Alaska

A brand new, used-oil heater was recently installed at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

You may need to read that first sentence again to grasp its meaning. The heater is brand new, but it runs on used oil removed during regular services of refuge vehicles and equipment.

The new heater is being used in the automotive maintenance shop, where two full-time mechanics service the refuge's 51 vehicles, 11 pieces of heavy equipment and miscellaneous pieces of small equipment. Three large bay doors are often open to the sub-zero temperatures outside and the old gas-fired heaters worked double time to maintain a reasonable temperature in the work space. The used-oil heater will reduce the refuge's consumption of natural gas and provide a more comfortable work space for the mechanics.

Cost savings from the switch to used oil are expected to be substantial and disposal of used oil is no longer a concern or expense. Kenai Refuge mechanic Bill Briscoe and regional engineer Charles Grant guided the project to fruition.

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