FORT SILL, Okla. -- With the Defense Department seeking to reduce its energy demand, Fort Sill is doing its part by using and increasing renewable energy sources and conserving energy.

Chris Brown, Fort Sill energy manager, said the post is seeking to reduce energy usage by 3 percent per square foot in fiscal 2012. This figure is about 20 percent less than what the post consumed in fiscal 2003 and on schedule to meet federal mandates to a 30 percent energy reduction goal by fiscal 2015.

Brown said this goal can be met with minimal effort.

"If people started doing at work the things they do at home to save money on energy bills, Fort Sill would easily meet this 3 percent goal," he said.

Change begins with building energy monitors. Each commander or director will assign this duty and document compliance to ensure the elimination of waste during and after duty hours.

For the average worker, lights are probably the easiest place to start energy reduction. This can happen simply by turning off lights when leaving rooms. Brown said all lights should be turned off inside and outside of buildings after hours except for those left on for safety or security reasons. Further guidance on this is outlined in Army Regulation 190-11. Incandescent bulbs are no longer authorized and should be replaced by compact fluorescent bulbs.

Properly set thermostats can also make a significant difference. With heating season soon to begin, occupied buildings should be heated to 72 degrees, plus or minus two degrees, during normal work hours.

In empty or after-duty-hours buildings, thermostats should be set to 55 degrees. Maintenance shops, hangars and bays should be warmed to 60 degrees when in use and 45 degrees when empty. These facilities have a tolerance of plus or minus five degrees both during and after duty hours.

People who work in buildings that are either too hot or cold should contact their building manager to request maintenance come out to adjust the heating system. Brown said this should be the first place people go to add warmth instead of using space heaters, which can consume a lot of energy. These portable heaters are also not authorized for use unless they are