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With winter on the way, the use of heaters are sure to rise along with the bill, but few can compare to Ramstein’s energy bill of nearly $3 million each month.
This amount could be lowered with just a flick of a switch, moderation of temperatures, ensuring computer screens are turned off or purchasing energy efficient equipment.
“It takes teamwork to lower the almost $94,000 worth of energy used in a single day,” said Amanda Mehrtens, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron energy manager. “The money saved doing simple things like ensuring office equipment is turned off when not in use could be put toward Airmen morale programs or Air Force operations.”
Along with spreading energy awareness, the 86th CES asset optimization flight is in charge of producing cost effective projects. Though these projects help with energy conservation, only a few are implemented due to cost restraints.
“This year we have five energy projects underway for design, and for next year we have several others planned, but funding for these designs are highly competitive and with sequestration, we’ve seen almost no funds for this year,” Mehrtens said. “That makes it all the more important for people to take it
upon themselves to help the Air Force. Instead of spending money to install light switch sensors, just turn lights off manually or, when no one is home on base, be conservative with the heater.”
Here are some ways to conserve energy:
• Maintain space temperature standards.
• Turn off interior lights at the end of the work day or when they are not needed.
• Report any exterior lighting left on during daylight hours either to the building Facility Manager or to Facility Maintenance Customer Service at 480-2335.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Turn off computer monitors, printers, scanners and other office equipment at the end of the work day. Computers connected to the network must remain on for security updates.
• Use of personal appliances, such as coffee makers, refrigerators and microwaves, should be minimized to the fullest extent possible and consolidated to break rooms only.
• Purchase only energy efficient products (appliances, equipment, etc.). For more information on energy efficient products, visit (www.energystar.gov).
Each of us has an important part to play in conserving energy.
“Every little bit can make a huge difference,” Mehrtens said. “Even if a small fraction of the 57,000 KMC residents conserved, the savings would be substantial.”
