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Selfridge reaps energy savings

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Dan Heaton
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
Energy savings rebates are Selfridge Air National Guard Base are not only helping the base to save money, but making it a bit more green every year.

The 127th Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron here, which manages the physical property of the base, received $126,641 in energy rebates from utility companies in Fiscal Year 2013 and stands to collect about $53,000 in Fiscal Year 2014 due to a series of ongoing energy efficiency projects around the base.

Much of the money received during fiscal year 2014 will be used to help fund another new project, installing more energy efficient lighting system in several of the aircraft hangars on the base. Among other advantages, the new $211,000 lighting system will have variable settings and ambient light sensors to allow the lights to operate at a lower power setting, even turning off some lights, on bright, sunny days. The new approach is known as "daylight harvesting," according to Shannon Bergt, the 127th Wing's energy manager.

The new lighting systems, coupled with past installations of "smart" electric and water meters and other diagnostic tools, allow base engineers to pinpoint and correct problem areas.

"Now we are better able to prioritize our work, based on where we can realize the most savings," Bergt said.

Among other projects, the base is also beginning a recycling program for fluorescent light bulbs, which is expected to result in $1,400 in net savings.