Simple steps can save energy, money Published Oct. 6, 2010 By 375th Mission Support Group SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- This year's theme for Energy Awareness month, "Think Green, Build Green, Fly Blue," encourages everyone to conserve energy through individual actions. For every dollar spent on energy, on average, 12 cents is for water, 15 cents is for natural gas, and 73 cents is for electricity. At Scott Air Force Base, more than $12 million is spent each year on electricity, gas and water for the base to operate. With a normal work population of 12,000 personnel, that comes to about $1,000 per person per year. No matter how large the challenge may appear, everyone is a part of the solution. Every day, decisions can be made that can waste precious resources or conserve them. Simple choices can make a big difference. Everyone has the power to shape the future of energy and move toward a nation with energy independence. Examples of this include switching off unnecessary lights and equipment, using Energy Star appliances and compact fluorescent light bulbs, driving fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, or even carpooling or riding a bike to work. Heating and cooling tips -Set thermostats as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. -Clean or replace filters and furnaces once a month or as needed. -Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes. -Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after finished cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency models. -During the heating season, keep draperies and shades on south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to warm the home's interior and closed at night to reduce the chill. Consider a sweater instead of a space heater. -During the cooling season, keep window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain. Long-Term Savings Tips -Select energy-efficient products when buying new heating and cooling equipment. Contractors should provide energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help compare energy usage. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings. The national minimum is 78 percent AFUE, but there are Energy Star models on the market that exceed 90 percent AFUE. -For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14 SEER or more. -During the cool seasons,set the thermostat to 68 degrees while awake and lower it while asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for eight hours, savings can range from 5-15 percent a year--a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. For more energy saving ideas and tools, visit the Department of Energy website at www.eere.energy.gov. The smallest actions can make a difference.