Energy-critical days of summer

  • Published
  • By Damian Rueda
  • 355 CES/CEOE
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz --  As funds continue to shrink (at work and at home), there are still costs that we must pay. Those costs include utilities. The summer season is critical for utilities costs. Electricity and water are consumed at much higher rates during the summer than in any other times of the year. Although we cannot eliminate these bills, we all can contribute to reducing our utilities costs.

At work, the most energy-intensive activity in most facilities, especially office buildings, is air conditioning. Following temperature set-point policy of 76 °F and turning off or setting back (set-point of 84 °F) cooling equipment during non-duty hours, will help save energy and cost significantly. Also, making sure exterior doors and windows are closed will help keep hot, outside air where it belongs.

The next most intensive electrical load in most buildings is lighting. There are several simple ways to reduce energy use due to lighting. First, turn off all lights in unoccupied areas. In occupied areas, turn off lights when sunlight is available. Next, provide minimal lighting in common areas, like hallways and break rooms that are not always occupied, but may require some lighting. Also, always turn off office and conference room lights (or all interior lights) at the end of the work day. Finally, make sure exterior lights are off during the day.

At home, you can do the same and save energy from lights and air conditioning. A programmable thermostat will help save cost and energy by automatically turning off (or setting back) air conditioning equipment when no one is home. Use hot water only when necessary to reduce water heater operation. Also, make sure exterior doors and windows are well-sealed to prevent heat infiltration. Wearing light, comfortable clothes and using ceiling or area fans will help keep you comfortable even at higher temperatures.

Saving energy and reducing utilities bills can be as simple as changing your mindset. Also, using energy efficient products, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), will always help reduce energy bills.

Please contact the DM Energy Team at DMEnergy@dm.af.mil for energy conservation questions, comments, or suggestions.