AFIA, AFSEC squeak by AFNWC in saving energy Published April 23, 2012 By Cliff Richardson Kirtland AFB Energy Management Office KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- After a month of energy awareness and daily tweaking of energy controls, the Air Force Inspection Agency and Air Force Safety Center squeaked out ahead of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center in the energy competition between the facilities. AFIA and AFSEC saved 29.98 percent and AFNWC saved 29.57 percent. As a result of the efforts of those organizations, Kirtland AFB saved 29,517 kilowatt-hours of energy for a cost savings of approximately $1,900. The combined total resulted in a 29.90 percent reduction for March, getting us off to a great start for the Air Force goal of 3 percent annual energy savings. To put this in perspective, energy saved by AFIA, AFSEC and AFNWC in March is equivalent to the energy used by 35 medium-sized homes in the city. If all the administrative facilities on base saved an equal amount of energy, we could save 200,000 KWH a month and $13,000. Summer weather is coming, which equates to our highest electrical use of the year: air conditioners and evaporative coolers use the most electrical energy and should be shut off just before everyone goes home. We're looking for more ways to reduce our energy use and costs; perhaps another energy-reduction competition in more facilities. If you have ideas, call 846-4633. To all who took part in the competition, thank you. Your efforts enable us all to see what is possible.