Tips to save energy at work, home Published Sept. 30, 2008 By 305th Civil Engineer Squadron McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- October is Energy Awareness Month. One of McGuire's "enduring themes" is preserving resources, which is equally important to accept as a personal theme. Everything we do involves energy -- work, transportation, family activities, health, well-being and entertainment. In that respect, each and every person has the ability and responsibility to preserve resources -- to conserve energy. The increased cost of energy has made a more significant impact to everyone's finances, including the base. One person's energy-consumption savings is a small fraction of the total picture, although as more and more people become aware of the things they can do to help conserve energy -- the fraction becomes larger and savings increase. Adopt some of the below suggested energy-saving ideas, and you can make a difference at work and at home: - Clean and replace air filters regularly. - Close off unoccupied rooms. - Lower thermostat at night. - Use window blinds; open when sunny to heat room. - Utilize natural lighting when possible. - Use compact fluorescent bulbs. - Utilize task lighting in place of overall room lighting when possible. - Examine potential for lighting occupancy sensors. - Reduce the number of lamps in corridors without significant reduction in lighting levels. - Select energy-efficient office equipment. - Put air conditioner adapters on a power strip that can be switched off; adapters draw continuous energy. - Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or chargers are not in use. - Attach door sweeps to the bottom of doors leading outside.