October is Energy Action Month

By Antonino Piluso / Installation Energy Manager

October is Energy Action Month! One of my biggest challenges as Energy Manager is communicating how very important it is for each one of us to do all we can to conserve energy on the base.

Often we associate energy conservation with a clean, green world and crystal clear waterfalls and trees all around. Certainly, reducing energy usage makes our world greener. And in the longterm, saving energy now means more for future generations’ use, as well as making the U.S. more independent and less susceptible to unstable energy markets.

But there are other, more immediate benefits related to the U.S. military’s mission here in Sigonella. First, saving energy means saving money, and that means more can go to support missions that are so critical to maintaining stability in our region.

Another aspect of conserving energy on base is not as obvious, but just as important. Think of our installation’s capacity to delivery energy like a oneliter vessel filled to the brim. Some of the contents we use for base facilities; the rest is available to our supported commands to use for missions. The less we use for facilities, the more is available for operations. This can mean the difference between being able to support one more critical mission.

As U.S. Navy employees, we all have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Think about your daily routine – the energy and water you use, and ways to reduce those amounts. Here are a few easy energy-saving tips.

• Lights: This is an easy one – turn them off when not needed.

• Refrigerators: For refrigerators to operate most efficiently, they must be defrosted at least once a year.

• Windows and Doors: During heating and cooling seasons, keep windows and doors closed.

• Air Conditioning: This is probably the most important thing to do; turn off the A/C at the end of the work day.

• Water faucets and toilets. Be sure to turn off the water faucet completely and report running toilets. These leaks might seem insignificant, but add up quickly. Leaks waste not only water but the energy it takes to treat and pump it.

• Appliances: Coffee makers, computers, monitors, modem, TVs, chargers, and other “plug loads” use energy. Even in stand-by mode, they consume energy. And the end of the day and whenever not needed, unplug it or turn it off.

Together, we have reduced NAS Sigonella’s energy intensity (energy consumption per square foot) by more than 35% in the last thirteen years through energy efficiency projects and conservation. And together, we can continue saving!