An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

This Energy Awareness Month, Make Energy a Consideration in All We Do

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ryan Oot
  • Base energy manager
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Since 1991, the U.S. Department of Energy has designated October as Energy Awareness Month to kick off its annual energy awareness campaign, promoting efficient uses of energy. This year's theme, Powering America...We're on target, highlights the use of renewable resources and energy conservation measures, and places an emphasis on increased energy security.

The Air Force's unique mission requires operations that use a tremendous amount of energy and, as a result, the Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. federal government. To paraphrase a popular superhero, with great use of power comes great responsibility and opportunity to conserve. The Air Force Energy vision, Make Energy a Consideration in All We Do, encourages all Airmen to evaluate how effectively their actions use energy.

Even though aircraft operations constitute a large portion of the energy used by the Air Force, facility energy use presents an immediate opportunity for the average Airman to have a significant impact. Osan has a goal of reducing facility energy intensity by three percent per year from a baseline of Fiscal Year 2003, with a cumulative goal of 30% reduction by FY 2015.

From the period of FY 2003 to FY 2010 energy intensity at Osan has decreased an average of 4.4 percent per year, resulting in an overall decrease of 30.5 percent. Although we are exceeding our energy use reduction goals, because of rapidly increasing utility rates, our annual costs have increased by over $5 million since FY 2003. The money that we use to pay our utility bills is the same money that could be used to improve facilities and infrastructure on base. Thus, effort put into reducing our utility bills can directly affect the quality of life at Osan.

The base energy team has many projects in the works, such as replacing inefficient motors, improving HVAC systems, and upgrading lighting controls. Increasing the efficiency of new and existing facilities will make a difference, but the greatest impact will result from simple changes in the way we operate. The only way we'll have a chance of combating increasing costs is through a concerted effort by the entire base population. The following is a list of some simple things you can do today to help Osan save energy and money:

Maintain Space Temperature Standards

- During cooling season, set thermostats no lower than 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off air conditioning entirely when a facility or area is unoccupied.
- During heating season, set thermostats to no higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn thermostats down to 55 degrees when a facility or area is unoccupied.
- Space heaters should not be used. Report malfunctioning HVAC equipment to your facility manager.

Efficient Use of Lighting

- Turn off interior lights when a facility or area is unoccupied.
- Report any exterior lighting left on during daylight hours to Energy Management at 784-2110 or 784-2045.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. For housing and dorm residents, CFLs are available at the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron Self-Help office in building 657.

Appliances / Equipment

- Before going to work, turn off all unnecessary electrical equipment in your residence. If you are going on leave or mid-tour, unplug non-essential electrical equipment.
- Turn off computer monitors, printers, scanners, and other office equipment at the end of the work day. Desktop computers connected to the network must remain on for security updates.
- Use of personal appliances in the workplace, such as coffee makers, refrigerators and microwaves, should be minimized to the fullest extent and consolidated to break rooms only.
Government Vehicles:
- Turn off your GOVs when you are not using the vehicle. For example, do not leave vehicles running while parked at a job site or waiting for coworkers.
- Consider walking for short trips and in fair weather.
- When possible, avoid using vehicles that are larger than needed.

Each of us has an important part to play in conserving energy. This Energy Awareness Month, we challenge each member of team Osan to Make Energy a Consideration in All We Do. If you have energy conservation questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact your base energy manager at 784-2110 or the base resource efficiency manager at 784-2045.