MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI,Japan -- In the month of January alone, the Station spent over $330,000 to pay for heating.
In an effort to increase energy awareness and lower the amount of money the Station spends on electricity, the Station's Facilities Office, utilities division, recently sent out simulated heating bills to all family housing homes and apartments.
The bills were designed to look like a real heating bill, and gave families in all types of base housing an idea of what it would cost to heat a home their size in the United States.
Although an actual bill based on each home's meter reading is not possible, the bills are an estimate based on the square footage of the residences.
Never the less, the bills should give Station residents an idea of what their out of pocket expenditure would be, and should be a friendly reminder for everyone to do their share, according to Chief Perlito Paras, station energy manager.
"Energy conservation is everyone's responsibility, and could save the Station a lot of money that could be put to better use elsewhere," he said.
The idea came from a similar bill that was sent out in June '02 to simulate electricity costs, in hopes of yielding the same money saving results.
In addition to the bills, the utilities division also turns heating systems off during certain hours of the day when people are less likely to be at home.
According to Paras, the bills should be taken seriously to help conserve the Station?s money and the world's natural resources.
"We are limited to our natural resources, and we need to help conserve them," he said. "Everyone needs to do their own part, and together it can make a big difference."