Driving Fuel Efficiency Up and Home Costs Down Published Oct. 20, 2011 By Robin Liggett 354th Civil Engineer Squadron EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Eavesdrop on a conversation these days and you are likely to overhear people talking about fuel and electricity; how much it costs, how much is used and how much is wasted. Since it is Energy Awareness Month, let us talk about how to save. With gas prices over $3.85 per gallon and threatening to consistently break the four dollar mark, fuel efficiency is likely on everybody's mind. We all have an interest in saving a few bucks or milking those last few drops of gasoline for all they're worth. Conserving fuel is the equivalent to saving energy, which means conserving our environment and saving money. Please read and heed the following tips to improve your fuel efficiency: · The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it; idling earns 0 mpg. · Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking wastes gas, decreasing highway gas mileage by 33 percent and city mileage 5 percent. · Avoid high speeds above 60 mph which can cause gas mileage to drop rapidly. · Use the proper grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using a different one can lower gas mileage by 2 percent. · Keep tires inflated and aligned to recommended psi to improve gas mileage by about 3.3 percent. · Get regular engine tune ups to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid and transmission problems. · Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by 10 percent and keep the engine healthy. · Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or truck but don't carry more than necessary; every extra 100 pounds decreases gas mileage by 2 percent. · Consider telecommuting or carpooling and combine errands into one efficient trip. Another hot topic is the new housing here. Once completed, there will be 349 new units and 99 remodeled homes, all built to 2006 International Energy Conservation Code standards. The design for new military family housing integrates energy efficient technology from radiant floor heat to low energy fixtures. Efficient envelope design includes elevated levels of insulation, air seals and a heat recovery system to minimize air infiltration. Low flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star rated appliances, and compact fluorescent lighting are standard throughout. The buildings are offset and given maximum spacing to achieve lower density and allow sunlight to brighten the neighborhood. New underground concrete utility corridors distribute utilities, simplifying future maintenance and reducing loss due to thermal conductivity in the distribution network. All these design components result in a home that uses less than half the energy of those built to the previous 2004 IECC standard. No matter where you live or to what standard your house was built, here are a few reminders for how everyone can save energy at home: · Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs · Turn off lights when you leave a room and shut off computers and TVs when not in use · Unplug electrical accessories like cell phone chargers, coffee pots, and printers · Purchase Energy Star appliances and only run the clothes or dish washers when there is a full load · Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees At home or out and about, make energy conservation a consideration in all you do!