February 25, 2026
Wheaton advances its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Wheaton College has completed a campus-wide energy and infrastructure project that surpassed its first-year savings goal and advanced the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The project centered on modernizing key building systems, including advanced automation, mechanical upgrades, and lighting. These efforts support Wheaton’s goal to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint to 35% below its 2016 peak by 2030.
Implemented in partnership with Schneider Electric, various energy conservation measures have lowered emissions by 4,126 tons of CO2 and electricity use by 358,991 kWh in the first year alone. Cumulatively, this has equated to $177,485 in year-one energy savings, nearly 9% above target. In addition to savings, upgrades also aim to improve the user experience within key spaces on campus. Examples include LED upgrades in King Arena and the Natatorium, significantly improving lighting quality for students, faculty, and visitors.
In all, these upgrades are projected to generate over $4.38 million over 20 years, funds that the College can use to advance academic priorities.
This project is part of a larger multi-year initiative to modernize Wheaton College’s campus heating system. Thus far, the College has converted a total of 12 campus buildings from steam to low‑temperature hot water, including Meyer Science Center, Memorial Student Center, Williston, and Blanchard Hall. The project establishes a new, efficient hot water distribution network that replaces aging steam infrastructure while improving energy performance across campus.
Overall, these targeted measures are supporting Wheaton’s ambition to honor its commitment to environmental stewardship while modernizing the campus for long-term sustainability. The completed project represents a significant step toward Wheaton’s mission to diligently serve its campus community while reducing environmental impact.