Saving energy can be easy Published Oct. 28, 2010 By Mission Support Group SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In fiscal year 2009 Scott Air Force Base used $1.8 million in natural gas. The question is... where was it used? There is only one way to use natural gas--burn it. We use the combustion of natural gas to heat air and water. However, the heat we've come to enjoy from natural gas escapes easily through propped open doors, unrepaired broken windows, or doorways without weather stripping. These air leaks force higher gas consumption. Another area that natural gas consumption is often over looked is in the shower. The average daily shower uses 20 gallons of water heated up to 105 degrees or more, which adds up to just about three million cubic feet of gas per person per year. Increase the time and temperature to turn the shower into a relaxing sauna and you can easily exceed ten million cubic feet. Even during a hot month like August the Scott community burned $35,600 worth of gas; but that seems like peanuts compared to last January, when we burned $343,729 worth. We can all make an impact on these high costs by lowering thermostats, wearing sweaters instead of using a space heater or otherwise adjusting to life in the temperate zone. Together we can cut down on our fuel bill and stop sending our energy dollars up in smoke.