October is Energy Awareness Month Published Oct. 2, 2010 By Maj. Jeffrey D. Brown 174 FW/PAO HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE, NY -- October is Energy Awareness Month. Please keep in mind as we move forward to reducing our environmental foot print in the U.S. that energy conservation and usage is at the utmost importance. Listed below are some tips on how to conserve energy in the workplace: 1. Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) for desk lamps and overhead lighting. Using CFLs instead of comparable incandescent bulbs can save about 50 percent on your lighting costs. CFLs use only one-fourth the energy and last up to 10 times longer. 2. Switch off all unnecessary lights. Use dimmers, motion sensors, or occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lighting when not in use to reduce energy use and costs. 3. Turn off lights when you leave at night. 4. Use natural lighting or day lighting. When feasible, turn off lights near windows. 5. Remove excessive light bulbs from overhead lighting. 6. Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it, to directly illuminate work areas. 7. Close or adjust window blinds to block direct sunlight to reduce cooling needs during warm months. Overhangs or exterior window covers are most effective to block sunlight on south-facing windows. 8. In the winter months, open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your workspace. At night, close the blinds to reduce heat loss at night. 9. Unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use (i.e. cell phone chargers, fans, coffeemakers, desktop printers, radios, etc.). 10. Turn off your monitor(s) at the end of the work day. If you leave your desk for an extended time, turn off your monitor. 11. Turn off photocopier at night or purchase a new copier with low standby feature. Purchase printers and fax machines with power management feature and use it. 12. Save paper. Photocopy only what you need. Try to always use the second side of paper, either by printing on both sides or using the blank side as scrap paper.