Participate in National Energy Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Larry Stevens
  • Barksdale Resources Efficiency Manager
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  
Barksdale spends $5 million annually for just electricity. Air Combat Command civil engineering has challenged Barksdale to reduce base electrical usage by a minimum of three percent during 2010.

Experts estimate that 20 percent of America's total electrical usage is wasted or being used inefficiently. Barksdale's utilization is likely typical, thus achieving the three percent challenge can be readily accomplished by simply switching off devices when not needed and reducing a portion of the waste. 

Every section can develop the habit of switching-off lights when not required and establishing nightly and weekend checklists for switching off un-necessary lighting in facilities. Take the lead, set the standard and encourage others. Soon, everybody will develop the habit of switching off lighting and ceiling fans when not required. 

Additionally, sections can eliminate heating and cooling waste. Many facilities have independent HVAC systems for offices, break and briefing areas. These should be switched off during non-occupied hours. If your area is occupied 10 hours a day, five days a week, 50 weeks per year, then your facility is only 29 percent occupied. A tremendous savings can be realized by switching off non-essential energy consuming devices the remaining 71 percent of the time. Most offices and areas have thermostats to control the temperature set points. The Air Force has established recommended temperature set-points for these thermostats to be at or below 68 degrees for heating mode and "at or above 76 degrees for cooling mode.
 Either a savings or cost of two to four percent is applicable for each degree of adjustment to the set point. 

Many Barksdale personnel can utilize set-back to reduce energy waste in your office, house or dorm. Utilizing set-back requires switching your unit off or adjusting the thermostat up/down by six to eight degrees when the office, house or dorm is not occupied. Set-back provides regular savings during working hours and significant savings while you are away on weekends, TDY or leave.