354th CES builds better, builds greener

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354 Fighter Wing Pulic Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In an effort to conserve energy, construction projects at Eielson Air Force Base are being built to meet U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver standards.

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

At the beginning of summer, May 2009, Eielson began its latest housing project, which aims to reduce energy demands, increase energy supply, and improve energy saving practices around the home.

The new housing development is scheduled for completion in 2012 producing 349 energy efficient homes. Similar improvements will be made to 99 existing homes by using building materials, building practices, and installing energy star certified appliances.

For more than three years, Air Force construction projects have been required to be LEED Silver certified. The building standard exists to require projects to meet goals and objectives in under the Air Force's new energy savings program.

There are different ways to achieve LEED Silver certification since points are awarded through use of materials and practices, such as improved roofing and using R-38 insulation or higher. The R-value standard is a useful way a builder can identify the effectiveness of insulation.

The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. A higher R-value means the material, in this case insulation, has a higher energy savings performance rating and increased insulation performance, said 1st Lieutenant Michael Zudic, 354th Civil Engineering construction manager.

In addition to insulation, other improvements have been made to cut energy costs.

Different lighting has been used on the interior and exterior of developing base housing. In the interior, fluorescent bulbs have replaced the older less efficient lighting.

Light emitting diodes or LED lighting illuminate the streets in newer neighborhoods consuming only a kilowatt or two for the entire neighborhood, the same amount of energy it takes to power the outdated and sometimes prohibited form of mercury-vapor floodlighting.

"When you look at it for the whole neighborhood to be pulling that much it's a significant improvement," said Julene May, 354th Civil Engineering base development manager. "It's a lot better lighting."

"There are things you can do within your own house," said Lieutenant Zudic. "You can install compact fluorescent light bulbs. You can reduce your energy consumption to gauge yourself and your habits."

"You can improve water consumption by installing low-flow shower heads," added Mrs. May.

It's important to understand that significant energy savings takes place before Airmen and their families live in the new homes.

Although most savings take place during early construction, Lieutenant Zudic and Mrs. May stress the importance of practicing good energy savings habits to ensure efficiency no matter the age of a home.

While all houses on base were built to proper standards, standards change over time prompting renovation of homes which will still serve families.

Until everyone can get a new house, there are good practices everyone can do to save energy. According to Lieutenant Zudic, it's important to unplug major appliances that are not in use because even though appliances with Energy Star accreditation may use less electricity it's never a bad idea to save power.

While becoming LEED Silver certified may help realize a more energy efficient base, Airmen and families have the final say on total energy savings.

Together, Airmen and civilians can meet or exceed National energy saving goals to help engrain Air Force culture with an increased sense of energy awareness.