Eau Claire (WQOW) - We're all thinking warm thoughts right
now in the midst of this cold snap.
Believe it
or not, we found some places where it's tough to beat the heat in Eau Claire.
Classes are back in session at UW-Eau
Claire. That means it's time to crank up the heat.
"We heat the whole
university complex, there are around 30 buildings. And we heat CVTC and the
state office building," said David Stokes, Senior Power Plant Operator for
UWEC.
The three coal-fired boilers that
power the plant get pretty warm.
"They get over
1,000 degrees," Stokes said.
That keeps things nice and toasty
for the workers.
"You get older, and
your bones get creaky...you come in here, its a nice warm plant. That's what it
all about."
Another option for keeping warm is
simply snuggling up at a spa.
"You'll be able to
cuddle up into a nice warm robe, relax in our Chase lounges with some blankets
and a hot cup of tea," said Rebecca Leuthe, a massage therapist for Lotus
Spa.
She says the steam room is a popular
option.
"You can come as
early as you want to come in and enjoy the steam room before your appointment.
So people really love it!" Leuthe said.
What about businesses known for
keeping you warm at home? Take fireside hearth and home for example.
"We have an
advantage in the store of being around all these nice burning fireplaces and
staying nice and comfortable. In fact, in my office I've got an electric
fireplace burning in there just to keep the office warm for me," said
Randy Nickerson, Owner of Fireside Hearth and Home.
The one drawback is you'll still
need to head outdoors in the cold to enjoy this kind of heat.
"I'll come into the
store here and just go stand in front of a fireplace for a few minutes just to
get warm from walking in the door," Nickerson said.
So what's the cost of keeping all of
those UWEC students warm in the winter? The typical January heating bill for
the university's physical plant comes in at around $300,000.
