RINDGE — Just in time for the cold weather, Franklin Pierce University is turning on the heat for an environmental initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The university recently began installing a new wood pellet thermal heating system.

According to university officials, the heating system, provided by International Woodfuels of Portland, Maine, will reduce the school’s annual fuel costs and decrease its yearly consumption of fossil fuels to the tune of 50,000 gallons of heating oil and 109,000 gallons of propane. Officials described the wood pellet system as a win-win for the educational community and the environment, bringing FPU one step closer to establishing itself as one of the first educational institutions to heat its buildings with wood pellets.

“We are very pleased to see the installation of the wood pellet heating systems,” said James Birge, president of FPU. “This is a clear and highly visible example of the university’s commitment to continuing our efforts to become more green and sustainable.”

A part of that commitment, called the Commitment to Climate Neutrality Initiative, is cutting annual carbon dioxide emissions. The new heating system will reduce such emissions by approximately 1,100 metric tons, 13 percent of the school’s current output.

The system will be monitored in real time by Woodfuels technicians and Franklin Pierce maintenance staff, according to FPU officials. The thermal heating units and storage silos are currently in place and are being attached to the existing piping and heating loops in the appropriate buildings. The systems will be operational in November.

“Having this initiative move forward is a testament to the good work being done by the Sustainability Council at Franklin Pierce,” Birge said.