Energy conservation part of daily duties

By Susan C. Galentine (Fort Carson)October 9, 2014

Energy conservation part of daily duties
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Everyone working and living on post "owns" a part of the $25.4 million in utilities Fort Carson bought last fiscal year through its use of electricity, natural gas and water, and each individual can make a difference in how much energy is consumed.

October is National Energy Awareness Month and as an Army pilot site for Net Zero energy, water and waste, Fort Carson works to ensure Soldiers and civilians understand their role in reducing utility-related costs. The Federal Energy Management Program theme for this month is "Transition to a Clean Energy Reality" and echoes Fort Carson's efforts to reduce energy consumption and install renewable energy technologies where cost-effective.

Energy conservation is embedded in the installation's day-to-day processes, whether it is through large-scale renewable energy projects such as solar arrays; energy efficiency improvements in buildings; or Soldiers and staff members doing their part to conserve energy.

"The Directorate of Public Works wants to ensure that military units and tenants have every bit of power and water that they need for their mission, now and in the future," said Mark Hunsicker, DPW Operations and Maintenance Division chief. "Conservation is a key piece of safeguarding the resources it takes to provide those utilities and not about trying to do the same with less -- it's about using the right amount of utilities when they are needed, and not wasting them when they're not."

While Fort Carson completes projects to reduce energy and water waste, such as lighting and water fixture upgrades, small behavioral changes are free and have the potential to save big.

One example is if everyone working on post shuts down his computer systems at night, per the energy policy, Fort Carson would save more than $250,000 annually. That savings is from one action.

Other energy-conscious behaviors that add up to doing the right thing and saving money include:

--Turning off lights when leaving the room.

--Shutting down computer monitors and peripherals, including printers, copiers and scanners at night.

--Keeping building temperatures no warmer than 70 degrees in the winter and no cooler than 74 degrees in the summer, per policy.

--Closing windows and doors when air conditioning or heating is on.

--Calling in service orders for facility issues leading to energy and water waste, such as poor door and window seals, leaking faucets and broken thermostats to the DPW operations and maintenance contractor, Fort Carson Support Services, for repair at 526-5345.

--Reducing plug loads by minimizing electrical devices plugged into a socket and shutting them off when not in use.

Energy savings now translates into improving the quality of life at Fort Carson in the future.

"Conservation translates to real cost savings," said Hunsicker. "Every dollar that is saved on unneeded utilities is a dollar that can be spent on other municipal services, such as grounds maintenance or snow removal."

For more information about energy conservation or facility manager training opportunities, contact the Net Zero outreach coordinator at 719-526-4320. For more information about the 2014 Energy Action Month theme "Transition to a Clean Energy Reality," visit the FEMP's website at http://energy.gov/eere/femp/energy-action-month.