In the dark

In an effort to save energy contractors install occupancy sensors in offices at the Niagara Falls Air reserve Station, November 26 2013 Niagara Falls, N.Y. These newly installed sensors automatically turn off the lights when a room is left unoccupied for 10 minutes, turning them back on when personnel re-enter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee)

In the dark

Niagara installs energy saving sensor lighting

Published Dec. 31, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y -- At home, there was always someone to remind us to turn off the lights when leaving a room. Not necesarily so in the workplace.

To remedy this, the 914th Airlift Wing recently installed occupancy sensors in a number of buildings to automatically turn off the lights when a room is left unoccupied for 10 minutes, turning them back on when personnel re-enter.

Sensors like these are playing an increasingly important role in energy management. The Building Owners and Managers Association International recently issued a top-10 list of ways commercial real estate professionals can make energy efficiency and sustainability a priority, including the advice: Install occupancy sensors.

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has other energy saving projects in the works that include retrofitting exterior lighting with cost saving LED fixtures and modernizing the base's heating and cooling systems.

Remember, flipping a switch off when you leave a room at home or at work is the easiest way to start saving energy. The most-energy efficient bulb of all is one that's turned off when not in use.