AFMC Command News

Tinker continues successful energy conservation campaign

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  With its 'How Low Can We Go' energy conservation campaign, Tinker is on the right track to conserve energy and reduce energy-related costs.

The 'How Low Can We Go' initiative, introduced nearly a year ago, encourages personnel to limit energy usage when away from the office. Since its induction, base personnel have saved approximately $170,000 in energy expenses. Participating is simple. Turn off and unplug non-essential equipment before leaving for the night or an extended period of time.

"Good job; turning off stuff makes a difference. Let's keep doing it," said Britton Young, a mechanical engineer with the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate. "There's even more of an opportunity to save during the summer months. If we can get people in the habit of turning things off, it will make such a dramatic change. I don't think people realize how these little things add up."

That's particularly true between June 1 and Sept. 30. Tinker typically spends $120,000 each day on utilities, not including summer peak hours, between 2 and 7 p.m. weekdays. During that time, the cost of electricity increases more than five times -- from 3.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 17 cents for the same unit because of peak usage.

For example, Cory Futrell, assistant base energy manager, said a shift operating from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be approximately 45 percent more expensive in utility costs than a 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift.

So, take ownership.

"Just because that valve has been on for years and nobody has turned it off at the end of the day, doesn't mean you shouldn't ask, 'Hey, can I turn that off?'" Ms. Young said. "I do realize there are places where people don't know how to adjust their thermostat or turn things off. In that case, ask your facility manager or let CE know about it; we'd love to help."

Ms. Young said saving energy will not only benefit taxpayer's wallets, but will protect the environment and enhance energy security.

"The less dependent on energy we are, the better off we'll be in the case of a natural disaster or terrorist attack or if for some reason we lose power," she said. "We need to be able to balance that to support the mission. The less dependent we are, the more secure we are."