LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
In these times of rising energy costs and spiraling gasoline prices, energy conservation is becoming more and more critical. The federal government is the largest energy consumer in the world, using more than 25 percent of the world's energy, according to The Department of Energy.
But there are things federal employees can do to minimize that usage, and much of that involves becoming more diligent in energy awareness and conservation efforts. In many instances, even very simple changes in our behavior can add up to major changes in our energy consumption.
Changing a few habits in our office routines can result in savings of both electricity and costs. Offices and administrative spaces are enormous energy consumers, and if the occupants are not careful, they can also be enormous energy wasters.
Heating and cooling consumes most office energy. In order to make that energy go further, keep all windows and doors closed. Close loading dock doors when in not in use.
Facility managers should check buildings for used or non-existent weather stripping and caulking, and call in a work order if it is peeling or cracked. The faster air conditioning or heating problems are reported, the greater the amount of energy that will be saved due to inefficient operation.
Office lighting is the second largest energy consumer in the work place.
Remember to turn off lights at night and in unoccupied areas such as conference rooms, break rooms, bathrooms and empty offices.
Most office workers do not realize the amount of electricity required to operate their office electronic equipment. Other than mission critical items, remember to turn off printers, fax machines and computer monitor whenever possible. Tremendous amounts of energy can be saved by simply turning off various peripherals and electronic equipment when not in use, even for a short period of time.
Office workers can reduce more than 50 percent of potential office energy consumption by simply turning off the lights, keeping doors and windows closed and powering down electronic equipment for nights and weekends.
For more information on energy conservation, visit CPS Energy website for additional energy savings tips at
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Energy_Efficiency/index.asp.
For any questions or comments about energy conservation, call Andy Hinojosa, Base Energy manager, at 671-0252.
(Courtesy of 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron)