Energy initiatives see the light Published June 18, 2010 By 1st Lt. Pam Stauffer 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Team Robins continues to sharpen its sights on energy conservation, including probing for new ways to reduce energy costs. As part of the installation's energy reduction initiative, the Facilities Maintenance Team in the 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group looked for new ways to help the unit trim energy use in Bldg. 645, which houses 75 percent of the Air Force's organic avionics workload. At the team's request, a third party contractor performed an energy-savings audit on overhead lighting in the building. The audit revealed the unit could save 310,000 kilowatts and approximately $150,000 a year simply by switching the fixtures with ones which are more energy efficient. After careful planning, a group of about 22 personnel changed more than 2,000 175-watt metal halide fixtures with 64-watt compact fluorescent lamps. The group included electricians who removed and installed the light fixtures and helpers who removed old material from the facility and assisted with other non-specialized tasks. The project took about 1,240 hours to complete, and the total tab, including labor and material costs, was $236,000. "Changing to fluorescent fixtures not only reduced energy costs but there was also an upgrade in light quality," said Joel Furlough, project manager. The group now has its sights set on similar energy-saving projects in two more of its facilities -- Bldgs. 640 and 645 -- where it plans to replace about 400 fluorescent fixtures with more energy-efficient fluorescent lamps. If you are interested in conducting similar energy-savings projects and would like more information, contact Jeane Paris in the Installation Energy Office at 327-8663.