Tinker energy conservation succeeding Published Sept. 30, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Energy Awareness Month kicks off today, but Tinker personnel already know a thing or two about saving energy. Recently, base employees rose to the occasion by saving Tinker big bucks during an energy-conservation campaign. And, one unit basked in the glow after receiving an Air Force Medical Service-level award for their efforts. As a whole, Tinker personnel saved the base a whopping $53,000 in energy usage during the Labor Day holiday weekend's "How Low Can We Go" energy-conservation campaign. The 72nd Medical Group, which cut energy usage by 38 percent over the course of a year, received an Air Force Medical Service Energy Protostar award. "We've recognized that a few simple steps can make a big difference," said Lt. Col. Timothy Dykens, 72nd Medical Support Squadron commander. "The small steps such as turning out the lights when a room isn't in use and adjusting the thermostat when the building isn't occupied -- just like you do with your home -- translates into resources not used and dollars saved. We're supposed to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollar -- we should all take that one step further and change the word dollars to resources." The medical group began their energy-conservation efforts approximately a year ago when Deborah Burge, facility operation specialist for Bldg. 5801, returned from a conference and learned Tinker's medical clinic was among the worst energy abusers in the Air Force. Its personnel weren't entirely to blame; the building is more than 50 years old. But, the rating alone was enough to motivate Ms. Burge. She brought the information back to Tinker and, on a mission, encouraged change. In addition to altering habits, the group had their antiquated pipes and their subsequent leaks repaired. Within a year, there were significant results. "It was a team effort, it was not about me," said Ms. Burge. "If each one of us does our part then we'll see the difference." In August, the group saved more than 40,000 kilowatt hours and was rewarded for their efforts with the Air Force Medical Service Energy Protostar award, a brand-new recognition, for "monumental strides in conserving energy and development as an energy star." The award actually recognized the group's efforts during June 2009 to June 2010. During that timeframe, they saved 38 percent less energy than in June 2008 to June 2009. "We have to look out for each other and our resources. We are the taxpayers and those are our dollars that we see going down the drain," Ms. Burge said. Much of Tinker's personnel do what they can to save energy and its expenses every day. Their efforts are especially noticed after a "How Low Can We Go" challenge. Introduced a year ago for the Columbus Day holiday weekend, the initiative encourages personnel to limit energy usage when away from their work area. Since its induction, base personnel have saved roughly $220,000 in energy expenses. Participating is simple. Turn off and unplug non-essential equipment before leaving for the night or an extended period of time. "Over the Independence Day weekend, we kind of backed off from what we had been doing, but during Labor Day, we did more than twice as much as Independence Day," said Britton Young, 72nd Air Base Wing's Civil Engineering Directorate mechanical engineer. "It's particularly important during the summer months when our rates are higher." Tinker typically spends $120,000 each day on utilities, not including summer peak hours, between 2 and 7 p.m. weekdays. During that time, the cost of electricity increases more than five times -- from 3.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 17 cents for the same unit because of peak usage. Ms. Young said in addition to seeing the numbers proving the reduction in usage and cost, she's also spoken to Tinker personnel who have taken an active stance to conserve power. "There are people going out there looking for opportunities, not just saying, 'Somebody else will take care of it,'" she said. "I have heard stories of people walking until they find a light switch to turn off before they go home." While the stories are cute, she said, it is the endearing effort and message that are important.