Energy Corner: October is energy awareness month

  • Published
  • By Joseph Armstrong
  • 366th Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Editor's note: This is the first article of a monthly "Energy Corner" initiative from the base energy office. 

October is energy awareness month for Mountain Home Air Force Base. As the base energy manager, I generally consider every month as energy awareness month. No doubt you've heard countless quotes from various individuals regarding energy conservation, renewable energy and wise energy used as theme songs for day-to-day operations. My favorite is:

"It is the Air Force's vision to make energy a consideration in all we do," secretary of the Air Force.

Using energy wisely is a culture change as well as a hands-off approach through energy projects. Over the years Mountain Home AFB personnel have always been given new challenges and never fallen short by utilizing their tenacity, cooperative spirit, good common sense and just plain hard work to get the job done.

Here are the top ten energy savers for the office:

1. Turn off office equipment when it is not needed at night or on weekends. About 30 to 40 percent of office equipment is left on. Turn off computers, printers, copiers and lights every night and when not being used. If you can' turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and printers.

2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent lamps can give the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs and replacing just half of your light bulbs with CFLs can reduce your lighting energy use by up to 38 percent. Even though these bulbs cost more, they last up to 10 times longer!

3. Curb phantom electricity. Many appliances still use energy even when they're turned off. Items left plugged into the wall, such as a mobile phone charger, paper shredder or laptop adapter can leak more than 20 watts of power. Plug office equipment into a power strip instead and turn it off at night and on weekends.

4. Share a refrigerator.

5. Keep outside doors closed in the middle of winter or summer while allowing the heating ventilation and air conditioning system to perform as specified. Transition seasons such as spring and fall are good times for getting some fresh air in the building. Simple rule: if heating, don't bring cold air in; if cooling, don't bring hot air in.

6. Talk to your boss about creating an alternative work schedule program such as flex time and telecommuting programs.

7. Don't print items that are not necessary and utilize electronic copies if possible; this saves paper as well as energy. Utilize your conference rooms with overheads to share documents. Not only does it promote good teamwork, but it cuts down on wasted e-mails.

8. If you are the type of person who prefers a lower level of light when working, use task lighting to directly illuminate work areas instead of area lighting. This also helps to keep the facility cool in the summer time.

9. When purchasing new office equipment, look for the Energy Star label or purchase products with low standby power requirements. For additional information, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.

10. For southern facing windows, close blinds. You can also ask to have reflective blinds or materials installed.

For more information, call base energy management at 828-3914 or visit the "Federal Energy Management Program" Web site at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/.

Our goal is to reduce energy intensity by four percent annually through the end of fiscal year 2015. Currently we are on track. Keep up the good work! This culture change starts with you and the ability to accept the challenge and make it happen.

Future items for discussion: base projects, renewable energy, how to get you and your neighbor involved, engineering technical letter 07-7: compact fluorescent lamp applications.

Monthly energy slog: Not in use? Turn off the juice.