Moody continues efforts to reduce energy consumption

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  During the recent winter season, the temperatures were more than 40 percent colder compared to last year and this had a direct impact on Moody's energy consumption.

To help Moody continue to meet its goal to reduce energy use by 15 percent, several projects around base have been accomplished or will soon be in progress.

"We have calculated that with these projects we can reduce energy consumption and meet our goal for fiscal year 2010," said Don Montgomery, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager. "Many of our projects will help offset unexpected costs like what we experienced during the winter season's extreme temperatures."

Moody is currently at 8.9 percent in energy reduction and one of the projects that will help decrease consumption will be the installation of motion sensor lights in more than 80 facilities and the upgrade of inefficient lighting in more than 25 facilities.

"Many of us forget to turn off the lights when we leave a room and that's energy wasted," said Mr. Montgomery. "Turning off lights does make a difference and these motion sensors as well as the upgrades will help us save money."

In addition to lighting upgrades, digital electrical monitors have been installed in several buildings.

"These monitors allow us to observe each building's energy consumption instantaneously," said Mr. Montgomery. "Through the use of our Energy Monitoring and Control System, we can monitor everything from individual room temperatures to what the actual heater or chiller is doing at any given moment."

Most of the buildings will receive these energy upgrades soon, but future buildings will be built with energy efficiency in mind and one example is the newly opened base dormitory.

The infrastructure of the new dorm is made with autoclaved aerated concrete, which enhances the geothermal and heating, ventilation and air conditioning abilities of the building's design as well as provides a fire-resistant building, said Brian Doak, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project engineer.

Not only does the new dorm have an AAC infrastructure, it is the only building on base that uses geothermal heat pump technology.

"This technology uses the Earth's natural thermal energy to heat or cool the dorm," said Mr. Montgomery. "Since it uses a renewable resource, the pump requires a small amount of electricity, which greatly reduces our energy bill."

Another project to help reduce the energy bill is the installation of a heat recovery unit at the indoor pool. All together, the costs of these projects are an estimated $2.1 million.

"With these energy projects, we can save more money in the long run and help Moody members work in a more efficient and comfortable environment," said Mr. Montgomery. "The Moody Energy Team will do anything to reduce energy because the money we save will go toward supporting our mission."

Individuals who would like to learn more about how they can help Moody save energy can e-mail moodyafbenergyteam@moody.af.mil.

For more information on what else Moody is doing to conserve energy, visit www.moody.af.mil/energyinitiative.asp.