Energy Awareness Month: Changing habits, changing the world

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Changing one minor habit can make a difference in the long run. Now imagine making a number of small changes in day-to-day activities, and you're sure to realize the savings can really add up. This is just one of the many messages behind Energy Awareness Month in October.

"What the Energy Awareness Month is trying to do is get people aware to change those small habits that people don't think would have a huge impact, but overtime have more of an impact than some of the immediate actions that people always look for as far as ways to save energy and water," said Maj. John Sevier, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "What we're aiming at with the Energy Awareness Month is it really needs to become a part of, an inculcation into, your lifestyle."

Many concepts behind energy and water conservation are basic and quite simple to implement into one's routine.

Several tips are available on the Department of Energy -- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website. Such tips include air drying dishes instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle, turning off appliances when not in use, lowering the thermostat on the hot water heater, taking shorter showers, and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes.

"It's simple things (that) help a lot ... We want to make water and energy savings a habit for everybody every day," said Artemiz Avci, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager. "It's hard to change the culture, but we have to. We are losing the resources in the world and we need to be more aware of this and act accordingly.

"Energy conservation must be a habit for everybody," he said.

As Turkey's weather gets cooler, heaters will kick on and energy consumption may rise. There are other options to staying warmer at home to conserve. The DOE website recommends keeping curtains and shades open during the day to let in the sun.

Sevier remembers being told during his childhood to put on a sweater when he was cold rather than turning on the heat.
 
"A lot of people that grew up in the 70s during the initial oil crisis, or even further your grandparents or your great-grandparents during the great depression -- some of the habits that they had at the time (were to save on energy costs)," he said.

Other habits to consider include unplugging battery chargers when the batteries are full; using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones; turning off water when brushing teeth, shaving or doing the dishes; and using natural light instead of electricity.

"It's your basic habits ... It's really not something that you would see any sort of immediate benefit from, but the small habit changes of your lifestyle can make a big difference," the 39th CES commander said. "There's a cause and effect that goes on there, whether you see it at first or not."

Editor's note: This article is the first of three in a series about Energy Awareness Month. Information from www.energysavers.gov was used in this article.