CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The month of October has been named Energy Awareness Month with the theme of, "A Sustainable Energy Future; Putting All the Pieces Together."
The theme encourages each person on Team Charleston to see him or herself as a piece of the energy puzzle fitting into the bigger energy saving picture.
The U.S. as a whole can benefit from the conservative use of energy at federal facilities. As the single largest domestic user of energy, the federal government spends more than $9 billion to power its vehicles, operations and approximately 500,000 facilities throughout the U.S.
Efficient energy management at federal facilities saves tax payer dollars, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, protects the environment and natural resources and contributes to our national security. Energy Awareness Month reminds everyone to ask themselves if they doing their part.
Energy savings can be achieved in many different ways. One is to simply turn off lights when leaving a room, but sometimes, new products use significantly less energy than their older counterparts.
This is true for many different products including computers, printers, lighting, television sets, washing machines, refrigerators and cars. In addition, there are certain products which have been designed to use as little energy as possible.
The ENERGY STAR program helps to recognize these products. While many cannot choose the computers and appliances they use at work, there is a multitude of choices when selecting products for the home.
Charleston AFB is required to take energy consumption into account when purchasing new office equipment. Individuals are encouraged to consider the difference in energy usage for their private purchases as well. Choosing to be an energy conscious consumer can reduce the average electric bill by approximately 33 percent.
While challenges exist in sorting through all of the products available, there are resources available to help. Almost any type of household product can be ENERGY STAR qualified, but certain products will save a greater amount of energy and consequently, money.
Heating and cooling accounts for 46 percent of the average household's annual energy cost, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory at the University California. Other important areas are water heating, which accounts for 14 percent of annual energy costs, and appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines, which account for 13 percent.
In addition to ENERGY STAR, the Federal Trade Commission requires all new household appliances, except electronics, to include an Energy Guide label, providing an estimate of the energy used by an appliance to the consumer. Tax and rebate incentives are also available for the purchase of energy saving products.
For more information on incentives, qualified appliances and the ENERGY STAR program, visit www.energystar.gov.