New year, new energy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jimmie D. Pike
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As 2014 brings new ideas and initiatives for the Air Force's Cost Conscious Culture, the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron continues to give tips for conservation.

"Laughlin has won the past five quarterly energy conservation incentives and counting," said 2nd Lt. Charles Heim, 47th CES officer in charge of energy management. "We are definitely dominating the Air Force with our cost conscious culture."

Even though Team XL is on top of the energy conservation game, there is still many things that can be done at Laughlin to save money, explained Heim.

"To continue and to add a bit more to the savings, here is what we can do," said Heim. "When washing clothes, 70 to 80 percent of the energy used goes to heating the water. Instead of washing a lot of small loads, try to fit one or two large loads if possible. Dishwashers are about the same, so be sure to fill the dishwasher before starting it."

Heating and cooling also causes a huge use of energy in dorms and households.

"Adjusting your thermostat 10 degrees according to the outdoor temperature when no one is at home can save about 10 percent of your energy costs," said Heim. "Ceiling fans circulate air in the room and can drop the temperature by about four degrees. Using a ceiling fan instead of air conditioning can drop energy usage up to 14 percent."

Many small changes can save a substantial amount in energy savings from day-to-day. Base civil engineers also have some projects of their own in the works to save money this year.

"We have a project that we should be starting soon, which will entail changing exterior lights on base for better energy efficiency, along with other projects moving through the channels," said 2nd Lt. Christopher Logue, 47th CES officer in charge of programming. "The project will change the exterior lights on base conserving more energy."

With continued work and dedication to a cost conscious culture, Laughlin will remain the leading competitor in energy savings.

"If we keep up the good work," said Heim, "Laughlin can soon have six consecutive wins for energy conservation."