Natick observes Energy Awareness Month

By George R. Miller/USAG Natick DPWOctober 12, 2010

Natick observes Energy Awareness Month
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The Secretary of the Army has designated October 2010 as Energy Awareness Month.

Public law mandates that the Army reduce its energy usage by 3 percent each year from 2007 to 2015. The Army needs to reduce energy consumption due to increasing demand, dwindling energy reserves and rising costs - all of which have been further compounded by the Global War on Terrorism and natural disasters. For the Army to meet this goal, all of its employees need to contribute.

Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, commander, Installation Management Command, stated at the GovEnergy2010 Conference and Energy Manager's Training that energy is in the forefront of his goals. His article in the September/October 2010 Public Works Digest is a good indication of his intent as a leader in IMCOM. The full article may be viewed at www.imcom.army.mil/hq/publications/pwd_digest/.

The federal government is the largest energy consumer in the United States. Escalating energy prices have a major impact on Army budgets. The law mandates that we reduce our energy usage 20 percent in 10 years. That isn't a hard goal to reach if we follow the energy-conservation guidelines set by the Department of Defense and tips from industry experts.

The U.S. Army Garrison-Natick Directorate of Public Works plans to install energy-efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, fixtures and high-efficiency heating and air-conditioning equipment, but employees still need to pitch in for Natick to meet Army-mandated goals.

Leaders should encourage employees to use energy efficiently and set the example. It's a win-win situation for everybody concerned.

Small changes in daily habits can make a big impact on energy conservation. For example, employees can save energy by having one centralized refrigerator, rather than small, individual refrigerators. The last person leaving at night should turn off all lights. Space heaters and portable air-conditioning units are not authorized except for medical reasons.

Energy Conservation Tips

Aca,!Ac Thermostats are set at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (plus or minus) for heating and no lower than 76 degrees F (plus or minus) for cooling.

Aca,!Ac Portable heating and cooling devices are not authorized, unless required by medical exception. If your area is cold and not within the prescribed DOD temperatures, a service order should be submitted to correct the situation. If you are naturally cold or chilly, keep a sweater or coat available to make yourself comfortable without making others around you uncomfortable.

Aca,!Ac Keep doors and windows closed when using heating and cooling systems.

Aca,!Ac Make sure furniture, drapes, etc., do not obstruct air registers, grilles or diffusers.

Aca,!Ac In winter, take full advantage of sunlight for heating by keeping drapes and blinds open during daylight hours. Close drapes and blinds at the end of the day to retain heat. Keep drapes and blinds closed during the summer to minimize solar heating.

Aca,!Ac Ensure hot-water temperatures for domestic use do not exceed 110 degrees F at the point of use. Do not use hot water if cold water is adequate for the purpose.

Aca,!Ac Reduce use of overhead lighting and supplement with energy-efficient task lights.

Aca,!Ac Turn off vehicle engines when vehicles are parked, unless maintenance operations require the engine to be running.

Aca,!Ac Turn off general purpose office equipment such as printers, copiers and fax machines at the end of each workday.

Aca,!Ac Turn off computers when not in use during extended periods of absence such as vacations and holidays. Computers can remain on for IT purposes when configured with energy-saving features.

Aca,!Ac Keep lights, computers, appliances, fans, office equipment, etc., off in unoccupied areas.

Aca,!Ac In summer, schedule heat-producing equipment or equipment having high electrical power requirements for early morning use only, whenever possible, to minimize air-conditioning load and cut peak electrical demand.

Aca,!Ac Maximize the use of timers, motion sensors and photocells.

Aca,!Ac Inform DPW Work Order Desk (ext. 6300) of operational or maintenance problems that are causing energy waste.

For additional energy-saving tips, please consult the following websites: Energy Program homepage, <a href="http://army-energy.hqda.pentagon.mil" target="_blank">http://army-energy.hqda.pentagon.mil</a>; Alliance to Save Energy, <a href="http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers/energybilltips" target="_blank">http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers/energybilltips</a>; U.S. Department of Energy, <a href="http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips" target="_blank">http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips</a>; or your installation energy manager, George Miller, ext. 6974.

Related Links:

Army Energy Program

U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center

Army environmental news