The heat is on Published Aug. 3, 2006 By Lisa Terry McKeown 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Brown outs, black outs -- they're happening across the country, and they could happen here as the summer heat continues to rise. In anticipation of overworked air conditioners everywhere, Pope's utility supplier has sent word that they are expecting unusually high demand on electricity until August 3 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. To avoid any lapses in service, conserve electricity and save yourself some money, there are big and small changes anyone can make. "Energy conservation benefits the environment, the economy, Air Mobility Command and the individual," said Marshall Byington, chief engineer with the 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron. "There is no single fix but there are many little things that everyone can do to contribute to the solution." --Install a programmable thermostat. If installing one isn't possible, raise the thermostat a few degrees every night and when you leave the house. --Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. --Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle. --Turn off your computer, monitor, lights, etc. when not in use. --Plug home electronics, such as TVs, DVD players and game stations, into power strips. Turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. --Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. --Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. --Clean or replace filters monthly. For central air conditioning systems, make sure the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is 12 or higher. --Energy Star certified ceiling fans provide additional cooling and better circulation, enabling you to raise the thermostat and cut down on air conditioning costs. --Close blinds or shades on the south- and west-facing windows of the house during the day. --Shift energy-intensive tasks such as laundry and dishwashing, to off-peak energy demand hours, nights and weekends. Wash clothes in cold water when possible, and clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load. --Keep both outdoor and indoor air conditioner coils clean. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the most common cause of poor operating efficiency. --Keep lamps or TVs away from the air conditioner thermostat. The heat they generate will cause your air conditioner to run longer. (Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance to Save Energy)