D-M continues to save energy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christine Griffiths
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The D-M Energy Team has a knack for producing great ideas for the future of D-M. They also have a talent for coming up with ideas that save money for the base.

Before upgrades, Davis-Monthan used up to $7.8 million a year on utilities. The Energy Team is looking to bring it down even more with the recent installment of new equipment.

"Over the past year and a half we've done 54 high-efficiency boiler upgrades," said Greg Noble, Energy Team manager. "We've done high bay lighting upgrades; which have been done in a number of the warehouses as well as the hangars. In addition to that we do retro commissioning projects; that's basically Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning tune ups."

The HVAC upgrades have saved the base 10-15 percent on energy consumption.

Not only did they come up with minor fixes for buildings throughout the base they came up with ideas for the new dorms that opened back in November of 2011.

"They have solar domestic hot water preheating systems, high efficiency chillers and window shading systems that help shade midday and afternoon sun," Noble said. "We also have within those buildings the upgraded insulation, windows, and lighting."

The Energy Team is looking to save 35 percent more energy for the base with their big development for the future.

"One of the key, large projects is the 14.5 megawatt solar arrays," Noble said. "They're due to break ground next month. They will be going in two locations; one up between the Craycroft and Swan gates and one up on the west airfield."

The Photo Voltaic Array, a solar display located in the Soaring Heights Community on base, is one of the Energy Team's previous projects and provides 75 percent of electrical usage to the homes on base.

"D-M has a very long history of innovating and pushing the envelope for energy management, energy conservation and renewable energy," Greg Noble said.

In 2011, the Energy Team won the Best Energy Team in the Air Force Award. The military construction projects as well as the energy initiatives also helped the base receive the 2012 Commander-In-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

Here are some ways you can help D-M reduce energy costs.

.TURN STUFF OFF - turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and offices
. Unplug unused equipment
. Use energy-saver mode on computer monitors
. Use correct light bulbs or energy-efficient replacement bulbs
. Put in a repair order for outside lights that stay on all day
. Use heaters and air conditioners only when necessary
. Keep your organization informed on base program/policies
. Share energy conservation ideas

If you have any questions or have any innovative ideas to save energy, please call Greg Noble at 228-6026.