https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


Article

New York air reserve base scrimps on energy consumption

New York air reserve base scrimps on energy consumption

Recently the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (ARS) set a goal of reducing energy costs by 3 percent each year. In addition, ARS facility managers embarked on two additional projects that not only reduced energy usage, but also helped the ARS qualify for rebates from its electricity provider.
  • Written by Derek Prall
  • 14th March 2016

As a result of the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (ARS) set a goal of reducing energy costs by 3 percent each year. In addition, ARS facility managers embarked on two additional projects that not only reduced energy usage, but also helped the ARS qualify for rebates from its electricity provider.

The first project helped reduce demand on the base HVAC system. ARS managers installed ceiling fans in the warehouses and aircraft hangars to force hot air down to floor level during the winter season. The fans provide cool air movement during the hot summer months. A door interlock system was added as part of the project. It shuts off the HVAC system when the hangar doors are open for a significant period of time.

The second project required installation of more than 2,700 occupancy sensors and 1,200 smart power strips base-wide. A combination of wired, in-wall occupancy sensors and wireless ceiling-mounted occupancy sensors covers more than 350,000 square feet, amounting to 1.8 million watts of connected power. The sensors provide good coverage, and the wireless sensors allow the station to install additional units as required with no new wiring or complex programming.

The sensors have helped the base achieve energy savings. They automatically turn off lights and fans in restrooms, break rooms, fitness areas, conference rooms, storage closets and hallways. Previously, the lights and fans were left on for 12 to 13 hours a day, despite very low levels of occupancy. The energy-saving projects were completed in January 2014.

“The bottom line is that occupancy sensors have saved nearly one million kilowatt-hours annually, which translates to a cost savings of $84,270,” says Major Matt Heinsler, Project Manager at Air Force Civilian Service.

Those savings, combined with the associated $78,655 total authorized rebate from the station’s electrical energy supplier and more than $3,100 savings from the smart power strips, have helped reduce overall costs, Heinsler says.

“Our Special Energy Devices project has already saved more than $166,000 that the station can redirect toward its people and its mission,” he explains.

Savings from the current project will pay for the equipment installation in three to four years, which means that energy saved over the remaining 6-7 years of estimated project life is a direct cost savings that will be directed toward people and programs, not energy costs. It all adds up to a reinvestment opportunity of $75,000 to $100,000 each year.

“Installing sensors typically saves 40 to 60 percent lighting energy, or even more, when they are used in the kind of spaces that the Niagara Falls ARS identified. That’s money that can be better used for people and programs,” says Andy Wakefield, Director of Government Solutions, Lutron Electronics.

“Layering lighting control strategies or using occupancy sensors in conjunction with the HVAC control can often have an even greater impact over time,” Wakefield adds.

In the photos above: A ceiling sensor controls lighting in the 914th Airlift Wing Headquarters, at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. (Photos provided by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya).

For more information on Lutron Electronics, click here.
 

_____________

To get connected and stay up-to-date with similar content from American City & County:
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on Youtube

 

Tags: Public Works & Utilities Smart Cities & Technology Article

Most Recent


  • How capital improvement project prioritization helps secure infrastructure funding
    Trillions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding have been made available to state and local governments across the U.S. since early 2020. This money has been allocated to address the nation’s aging infrastructure, much of which is at or near the end of its useful life, and to bolster the U.S. economy in the wake […]
  • Climate bill lauded; predicted to reduce nation's carbon footprint by 40% within decade
    Amid yet another punishing heat wave, the sweeping Inflation Reduction Act, which was approved along party lines Sunday by the Senate, represents a historic step in the nation’s fight against climate change by drastically reducing its climate footprint—while injecting billions of dollars into cities and counties. Along with provisions that cap prescription drug costs for […]
  • Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments
    Of all the important lessons cities and counties have learned since the pandemic began, high up on the list is the value of working together. No one community can solve cross-jurisdictional challenges alone—that’s a concept that’s at the heart of a new initiative launched by the National League of Cities (NLC) and WastewaterSCAN that brings […]
  • water
    Investing in America’s onsite wastewater treatment systems for equity and sustainability
    Ensuring that all U.S. households have access to clean water and sanitation will require a re-alignment of resources and investment, not only for centralized wastewater treatment systems but for decentralized ones too. Nearly 20 percent of America’s households today depend on onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS or onsite systems), but only about 2 percent of […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions
  • Harris County deploys next-generation security in 150 public buildings
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Today’s infrastructure needs greater than roads and bridges - It’s time to face our digital connectiveness

White papers


Modern American Perspectives on Law Enforcement

14th July 2022

Reimagine the Employee Experience

12th July 2022

How to Assemble a Rockstar Website Redesign Steering Committee

7th June 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

How capital improvement project prioritization helps secure infrastructure funding dlvr.it/SWLQB7

9th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Climate bill lauded; predicted to reduce nation’s carbon foot print by 40% within decade dlvr.it/SWHGQL

8th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments dlvr.it/SW7N74

5th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Investing in America’s onsite wastewater treatment systems for equity and sustainability dlvr.it/SW4Mb9

4th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

With passage of PACT Act, veterans service officers are preparing for an influx in applicants dlvr.it/SW4KTg

4th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

The 5 Procurement Superpowers Shaping the Future of Public Procurement dlvr.it/SW4DqT

4th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

This exclusive whitepaper presents the most recent nationwide data that give an unbiased view of how residents real… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

3rd August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Capitalizing on hybrid work, these 10 cities are ready to take advantage dlvr.it/SW0cjT

3rd August 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X