Conservation is a daily responsibility Published Oct. 8, 2015 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Did you know that the U.S. Government accounts for one percent of the total U.S. consumption of energy? Or that the Robins annual energy bill is $26 million? October is Energy Action Month, and with that comes a responsibility for everyone as consumers of energy to do his or her part to conserve. This year's theme is "Mission Assurance through Energy Assurance," whose goal is to inspire the total force to be more efficient so they can give the Air Force "an assured energy advantage in air, space and cyberspace." Allen Quattlebaum, with the Robins Energy Office, reminded Team Robins that whatever your mission may be, to try to include energy conservation in your daily work. That reminder has already paid dividends, especially during long holiday weekends such as the July 4th and September's Labor Day weekends. After all, every little bit helps. Both three-day weekends this year resulted in a total 7.31 percent reduction in electricity consumption over the same time period in 2014. "It's the little things we wantpeople to pay attention to - stop and pause," he said, on reminding ourselves to conserve. "That's where we're going to either make or break when we take it to heart." We'll have another chance to conserve energy this upcoming three-day Columbus Day weekend. Just like before, remember to focus on conserving energy from your standard office equipment - monitors, fans, printers and other office appliances - as well as production and warehouse energy-consuming equipment. The 78th Civil Engineer Group will set back heating and air conditioning systems in non-essential facilities beginning at 5 p.m. today, and will resume operations at 5 a.m. Tuesday to ensure facilities are ready in time for normal operations. Along with energy awareness training and a Flint EMC electricity safety presentation at the youth center, other upcoming activities this month include: -- Energy awareness competition nominations due today to highlight organizational energy and water conservation achievements across the installation. -- A Georgia Power energy conservation display, now through Oct. 16, at the Base Restaurant. -- A Fort Valley State University home conservation booth, Oct. 28, Base Restaurant. Need a few reminders to help out? You can do your part by turning off lights when you leave your work area at the end of the day; turn off or unplug all non-essential equipment and electronics and look for energy-saving opportunities in your area. Some ideas for the home include using CFL or LED bulbs; replacing air filters every one to two months; installing motion sensor switches in low-occupancy rooms; installing insulation blankets on water heaters; using fans to supplement air conditioning; and updating energy-efficient appliances.