JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
When convening the workday at Joint Base Andrews, turn off your computer monitor(s) and let the utility-cost reductions commence.
Such a simple measure generates about $24 per hour savings across the installation, but when computed on a daily basis, cost cuts grow to between $200 and $300.
"Energy reduction is basically a culture change, that off treating your work/office environment as if it were your home. If you think about it, it is the same as your house, as ultimately, the nation pays for JBA's energy bills," said Mohammed Alikhani, base energy manager, 11th Civil Engineering Squadron. "Utility costs depend on the availability rate. For example, in fiscal year 2013, two new JBA edifices, the Temporary Lodging Facility and the Jacob E. Smart Building, now utilize electricity, natural gas and water, so there likely will be fluctuation in base energy consumption from this fiscal year as compared with the previous one. We have also upgraded older buildings to make them more energy efficient."
Nevertheless, energy-reduction efforts on JBA generated a savings of more than $3 million in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. In the past decade, the base decreased its utilities consumption 61 percent, approximately 31 percent more than the baseline established by Presidential Executive Order 13514, signed in October 2009, requiring federal agencies to cut energy use by three percent annually beginning in 2003. Likewise, the same document mandated water usage to drop two percent per year starting in 2007 to achieve 16 percent by 2015. During the last six years, JBA has accomplished a 29 percent drop.
According to Alikhani, the installation has made huge strides in slashing energy costs, but due to fluctuations in building square footage, population and weather, utility conservation measures should be part of everyone's daily routine at work and also at home.
Prior to leaving your residence, Alikhani suggests, unplugging all appliances other than the refrigerator and raising the temperature to 85 degrees in the summer and to 55 degrees in the winter to drop energy costs. In addition, he encourages people to install energy-efficient windows and insulation, as well as employing blinds/shades/curtains will curb utility expenditures. Utilizing compact fluorescent lights and/or light-emitting diodes instead of older bulbs and fixtures will also save dollars.
Carpooling to work one day per week can decrease vehicle gas consumption 20 percent.
At the jobsite, Alikhani recommends turning off all office equipment and lighting when not in use, as well as employing a shared space for personal appliances such as coffee makers and toasters to eliminate redundant energy consumption.
There is an easy way for personnel serving and residing on JBA to assist generating direct energy and water costs savings - Take ACTION! The six-letter acronym stands for Appliance reduction, Computer log off, Temperature control, Inform your facility manager, Outdoor conservation (fix or replace broken sprinklers and turn off outside lighting) and No waste (if it should not be on, turn it off).
"To decrease energy consumption and associated costs at work and at home, we should think reduce, reuse and recycle. All of us should strive to use electricity, natural gas and water responsibly, and in the current environment of dwindling budgets and every dollar counts, it is imperative to do so," Alikhani said. "I want JBA to set the standard for cutting direct energy and water consumption throughout the Air Force and DOD. We are on the way to achieve that distinction, but all of us need to 'Take ACTION' today and tomorrow."