When it comes to energy costs, little things can save big Published Aug. 7, 2008 By Brandice Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Little actions can save big money. Tinker officials spent nearly $8 million on utilities last summer and roughly $40 million over the entire year. While the base does make a concerted effort to save energy, Tinker personnel can help reduce the overall spending for 2008 by being cognizant about their energy usage. "Use common sense," said John Hurd, Tinker's energy manager. "If you're not going to do something at home because it would cost you too much, don't do it here. Take all the steps you can to limit energy consumption." The base's two most prominent energy savings programs, the Utility Energy Services contract and Energy Savings Performance contract, have been around since the late 1990s. They are used to update and install more efficient equipment. The UES contract was most recently used for replacing old technology lighting with more efficient bulbs in four buildings: 3225, 3228, 2280 and 3102. An ESP contract was recently awarded for $9.2 million to update lights and change the heating configuration in the Navy and Alert areas. Rather than have one larger boiler running constantly, several smaller boilers will be used as needed. Tinker officials will also soon award another energy-savings project, one that will significantly reduce losses in steam distribution and save the Air Force millions of dollars. In the meantime, Tinker officials said personnel are encouraged to be mindful of their energy usage. Mr. Hurd said Tinker personnel could dress appropriately for the season instead of relying on an air conditioning system or heater to keep them comfortable. Turning off a light switch when leaving a room will save energy; so will switching a coffeemaker or lamp to the "off" position when leaving at the end of a workday. Mr. Hurd said doing little things will help stretch the dollar further, similar to what motorists do to go further on a tank of gas. "There's not a lot to do [to prevent the rise] in cost, but you can control what you use," Mr. Hurd said.