Saving energy on Kadena

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Every year, around this time, the words "Power Nap" always seem to come up. But, why is that?

Between the months of June and September Kadena is charged more for the energy it uses, especially during the peak hours, between 1 and 4 p.m., which is why Power Naps are important.

Power Nap is the practice of trying to reduce energy consumption specifically between the peak hours to greatly reduce costs.

Where can Team Kadena save money?

"Approximately 46 percent of Kadena's electricity consumption is from military family housing," said Chad Beck, 718th Civil Engineering Squadron installation energy manager. "That is over $30 million dollars that the Air Force spends annually to provide electricity to Kadena Air Base housing."

How can Team Kadena save money?

"The largest household users are air conditioning and clothes dryers," said Charles Chen, 718th CES resource efficiency manager. "The biggest thing a housing occupant can do to save the Air Force money is to keep the house at 76 F or higher throughout the day and avoid using the washer and dryer between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m."

What kind of impact can that really make?

On Kadena the average three bedroom household uses about $3,800 annually and if each unit reduced their energy by just 5 percent, each family would save the Air Force about $190 annually. That may not sound like a lot but across the entire installation it adds up to be more than $1.5 million, which could instead be used to prepare, arm and protect the service members down range, said Chen.

Want to know more ways to help?

Be on the lookout for helpful tips throughout the summer months on Kadena's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KadenaAirBase