How you can help save $200K by pressing a button

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When President Obama visited Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., early this year, he praised the Department of Defense for "doing its part" in the effort to cut down on energy consumption throughout the world's largest energy-consuming organization. He went on to say "the Air Force is on track to save $500 million in fuel costs over the next five years because [it has] changed the way [it] operates."

According to April Stewart, the base energy manger with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, Team Dover is taking its own strides towards energy efficiency in a time when the future of the American fuel supply is unknown.

"Dover AFB is responsible for 10 percent of its annual energy budget, therefore it is up to each individual on base to help save energy so those funds can be used in ways that benefit them," said Stewart.

This is part of the motivation behind the revamped energy policies expected to take effect in the coming months. Dover AFB consumes approximately 10 megawatts of electricity per year - the amount of energy required to power a small city; the goal is to reduce this number by two-three percent. A significant portion of the upcoming changes revolves around temperature levels in facilities throughout the base. The proposed temperatures will be 79 degrees during the summer months and 67 degrees during winter.

Furthermore, kitchen items such as toasters, refrigerators and microwaves, will be consolidated and kept solely in common areas. These new policies will be tested throughout June and July to assess their impact on the base.

"It is the small changes that can make a big difference," said Stewart. "Things like cell-phone chargers left plugged in, computer monitors left on, and exterior lights left lit all draw continuous power. Sometimes saving energy is just as simple as pressing a button."

In addition to small fixes, Dover AFB has also implemented some large-scale solutions to energy consumption. A solar array is scheduled to be installed at Dormitory 430 to provide hot water within the facility. The fitness center uses a state-of-the-art humidity and heat governor, which is automated to adjust to ambient temperature outside, thereby reducing energy consumption. Each machine, with the exception of treadmills, is man-powered to reduce energy usage.

More energy-reduction measures are scheduled for the future, ones that Stewart believes will put Dover AFB on the forefront of efficient energy utilization in the Air Force.

"If we adhere to the changing policies, I see us quickly heading towards the future of Air Force energy policies, but it requires individual commitment. If people think, 'this isn't my house,' it won't work," said Stewart. "If everyone works together, we can do some great things moving forward."