Energy saving initiatives implemented

  • Published
  • By Christin Michaud
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  After an initiative to conserve energy Air Mobility Command has instituted measures to cut down on energy costs.

The initiative, which began with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, mandates reducing energy consumption at a goal of 3 percent annually.

"Well-planned energy conservation is the keystone to ensuring our energy stores are available when we need them to carry out our mission," said Lt. Gen. Vern Findley II, AMC vice commander in a memo.

This year energy budgets are being funded at 90 percent, forcing installations to look for ways to reduce their energy consumption on base in fiscal 2012.

One initiative is reducing the use of heating ventilation and air conditioning units.

"By modifying the temperature settings in facilities, the HVAC equipment will run less often requiring less energy, which saves more money," said Energy Project Manager 1st Lt. Kevin Porter, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy asset management flight chief. "In many buildings, the HVAC equipment is the highest energy consuming equipment in the building. By modifying temperatures just a few degrees, we can keep a relatively comfortable working environment and still save money."

The plan for modification changes the air conditioning temperature from 76 to 79 degrees in occupied facilities. During heating season, the temperature will be set at 67 instead of 69 degrees to help save energy.

Each degree set back is estimated to save approximately 2 percent in an average building, explained Porter.

"An average building may spend around $5,000 on energy bills per month. A 2 percent savings would be $100 per month for a temperature set back of 1 degree," said Porter. "That savings multiplied across the base will have a significant cost savings to the base."

As the leading consumer of energy on base, Air Force Mortuary Affairs has taken it a step further and shut down the HVAC system at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., to help reduce energy expenses here at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The goal set for AFMAO was to reduce electrical consumption by 10 percent, which not only offsets the budget being reduced, but helps meet the Air Force goal of reducing each base's energy consumption by 30 percent by 2015.

"Making small conscious changes in energy conservation can have significant impacts across a larger organization like the base," said Porter. "If each person makes an effort to conserve energy, not only will there be impacts from people turning off lights and computer monitors but it may lead to the discovery of other energy wastes that may have previously gone unnoticed."

Each individual can do their part by turning lights and computer monitors off at the end of the day.

Many printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines also have energy saving functions when not in use.

"Most go into sleep mode automatically if they haven't been in used lately," said Senior Airman Justin Palmer, a client support technician at AFMAO.

Another measure, according to the Energy Management Policy and Supplemental Bulletin is the elimination of appliances in personal workspaces.

The policy calls for removal of all space heaters, individual refrigerators, coffee pots and microwaves being used by individuals in their cubicles or offices.

The combination of all of these changes in each building will yield results for the entire base.

An Energy Reduction Working Group has been established at AFMAO to get grass roots involvement to reduce energy consumption.

"Energy reduction is going to be a big concern this next year," said Eddie Adelman, Programs and Facilities Branch chief for AFMAO.

AFMAO has implemented replacing lighting fixtures with more energy efficient systems and bulbs and improving insulation in the facility.

Dover AFB can expect more energy conservation measures implemented this summer to help meet the base's goal of reducing the energy conservation expenses by $1 million.