Steering group starts Lights Out events Published March 20, 2009 By Capt. Eric Vanley Energy Management Steering Group KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- A Lights Out event planned for Wednesday, March 25, will target shutting down all nonessential equipment and turning off unnecessary lights the entire day. Be sure to power down all items that don't require 24/7 operations when leaving work on the March 25. The Lights Out Checklist at the end of this article is a list of items to consider turning off. These actions will help the Air Force in April, May and June when we are competing with Sandia National Laboratories and the Department of Energy to see who can reduce energy the most. Questions to Clifford Richardson at 846-4633 or Clifford.Richardson@kirtland.af.mil. · We will begin by setting the baseline. As part of the wing's extensive energy saving program, a 24 hour "snapshot" for each participant will be established on March 23 for typical electrical energy use. This baseline will be the norm for the participant's energy use. This norm will be calculated as the energy use per square foot for each facility. · Two days later, on March 25, a meter reading will capture actual energy used for the 24 hour period of interest, showing all the implemented electric-savings strategies as a "reduction in usage." The percent reduction between these two days will provide a sample of the energy Kirtland AFB can save through efforts that don't disrupt our ability to accomplish the mission. Your facility manager's role: Your own facility manager, as a critical member of the Kirtland AFB Energy Conservation program, participated in one of the three training sessions to become a knowledgeable leader for saving energy at Kirtland AFB. As part of the program, this same information will be explained to 100 percent of the building occupants of every facility before March 25. Your facility manager will provide you with the list of easy things you can do to accomplish energy savings and increase your chances of winning the competition. What is your role? Your contribution is to consider and be mindful of all the electrical devices you use and to be sure to shut each off for the Lights Out Campaign on March 25. Here are some quick tips: 1. When you come in to work, check the outside lighting. Are they still on and are they even necessary? 2. Once inside, use task lighting, which is normally found at each desk and see if it is feasible to shut off the overhead lights. 3. If anyone has a personal microwave, coffee maker or refrigerator in your office, do not use these on March 25 and consider not using any of these for the rest of the year. Instead, use those provided for you in the common area or break area in your building. 4. As you walk around the office, turn off lights in locations where there are no people- empty offices, conference rooms, break rooms, bathrooms and copy/mail rooms. 5. Turn off all copiers, faxes and other "power vampire" equipment for that day, especially after duty hours. 6. Consider lower wattage bulbs for use in some areas. This change will give you savings each hour while these lights are on. 7. Electric auxiliary heaters, which are not authorized due to excessive energy use and safety hazards, should not be used on March 25 or any other time during the year. However, if additional heat is necessary, obtain a waiver and consider using a 170 watt heater rather than the typical 1500 watt system. Your facility manager, who knows the process to obtain the waiver, can and will help you. Who's game? This month, Energy Management Steering Group is announcing Kirtland AFB's second competition; between wing agencies that make the commitment to our leaders to reduce consumption, save facility dollars, and free up funds to meet our mission. Facility managers, as leaders, can volunteer their facilities for the competition. Prizes and recognition are being set up for wing winners so talk to your facility manager about what you can do to help secure a great prize for your unit/building. For now, Kirtland AFB'S focus for energy savings is on reducing electricity use throughout 2009. During this period, the Energy Management Steering Group will be researching and considering other areas for energy savings. You will be kept informed through your facility manager. The EMSG will also keep you informed throughout the year providing new energy saving strategies. Lights out Checklist Here is a list of equipment to consider turning off: · Overhead lighting -- use task lighting (under desk lamps, under shelf fluorescents) · Turn off lighting in unoccupied areas (closets, break rooms, bathrooms, conference rooms, hall ways, copy rooms, basements, shower stalls, etc.) · Unplug/disconnect decorative lighting displays · Computer monitor (if the light is on, it is on) · Computer speakers (if the light is on, it is on) · Printer (if the light is on, it is on) · Scanner (if the light is on, it is on) · CPU · Power strip · Copier · Fax · Network printers · Shredder · Unplug battery chargers (including cameras, cell phones, PDA's, two-way radios) that are not being used · Dry erase boards -- electronic (if the light is on, it is on) · Space heaters -- yes, some people use these in the summer · Fans · Radios · Air cleaners · Close fume hoods · Turn off laboratory equipment (not in use) · Coffee makers · Electronic calculators · Any electric item that is nonessential (most have indicator lights -- if the light is on it is using energy).