UPDATED: Operation Change Out brightens Eielson's outlook Published May 11, 2010 By Tyler Minish 354th Civil Engineering Squadron EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Operation Change Out seeks to increase base energy efficiency by exchanging every base resident's old incandescent light bulbs for free compact florescent light bulbs. Operation Change Out is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy. The 354th Civil Engineering Squadron will be distributing CFLs to Eielson residents as part of the Operation Change Out initiative. CFLs will be given out on a first come first serve basis. Each resident will receive one CFL for each turned in incandescent bulb. Incandescent bulbs may be turned in at the BX from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the dorms from 5 to 7 p.m. May 26 and 27. Due to the generosity of several local businesses the 354th CES will also randomly distribute free gift certificates and coupons from various establishments including the Pagoda Restaurant, Thai Cuisine Restaurant, Benny's Grill, The Cookie Jar, Papa Murphy's, and the commissary. As energy costs continue to rise and federal mandates call for stricter energy conservation, Eielson Air Force Base is investigating ways to reduce energy consumption. Some ways everyone can get involved are by turning off the lights and disconnecting auxiliary electronics when leaving home or work. Using more efficient lighting is another easy way to make a difference. According to Energy Star, lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average home's total electricity usage. That's where Operation Change Out comes into play. Operation Change Out is a campaign started in April of 2008 to raise energy conservation awareness amongst military members by distributing free energy-efficient CFLs to base residents. If every household on Eielson changed just one incandescent bulb to a CFL, the base would -- Save approximately 612,000 kilowatt hours over the course over the lives of the bulbs, representing a substantial reduction in national energy use - enough to light approximately 484 homes for a year -- Prevent the emissions of more than approximately 942,480 pounds of carbon dioxide - the equivalent of taking nearly 78 cars off the road. Considering the long period of darkness experienced during Alaska's winter months the base would achieve significant saving if every household changed just one incandescent bulb to a CFL. The estimated savings to the base over the lifetime of 1,360 CFLs is $130,829 based on the $0.18 per kWh rate GVEA charges residential customers. CFLs have these additional benefits: -- Last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs -- Use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs -- Save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each individual bulb's lifetime -- Are available in different sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture, indoors or outdoors -- Produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut home cooling costs Residents may look forward to this and other energy conservation initiatives in the future. Remember, by using energy wisely the military can access the cheapest and cleanest source of new energy - the energy we waste each and every day. The energy cost savings would in turn increase our available resources to better serve our workforce, base residents, and armed forces.