Save Award 2010 Ideas

Tapping Obesity Energy Reserve (TOER) is one initiative that contributes to solutions for two national issues--(1) the need for alternative energy solutions and (2) solutions to reduce obesity (like Let's Move). The genesis of the idea is to fund (with money otherwise spent on health care costs related to obesity) research, development, and incentivize production of home pedal power technology--like the bicycle powered... more »

Tapping Obesity Energy Reserve (TOER) is one initiative that contributes to solutions for two national issues--(1) the need for alternative energy solutions and (2) solutions to reduce obesity (like Let's Move). The genesis of the idea is to fund (with money otherwise spent on health care costs related to obesity) research, development, and incentivize production of home pedal power technology--like the bicycle powered... more »

One way to save money is to eliminate TV’s from federal government offices. There are 2 million civil employees. Lets take a conservative estimate and say there are one TV set for each 100 employees; equaling 20,000 TV’s. Lets also assume the average TV cost $500, although all in my office are large screen plasmas that cost significantly more than $500, but $500 seems like a fair estimate. So, the government has $10,000,000... more »

Implement a policy which requires ALL government agencies to use energy efficient light bulbs. Electricity is the most widely used energy source within government. Not only will this reduce the costs of electric when being used, but will also reduce the costs when lighting is left on while "not" being occupied by someone.

Every work cubicle/station has individual lighting. If an employee does not turn out their cubicle lights at the end of their day, they stay on. By installing motion sensors on the lights in each cubicle we would save a lot of expense and energy.

Encourage individuals to serve as power "Generation Partners" and to sell clean power back to TVA's grid. Promote this program through TVA's local distribution affiliates.

I suggest that you consider giving employees a reminder to power off computer before leaving the office for the day. This could be done in the form of a sticker or sign that has the shape of a STOP sign. While most departments and agencies have policies requiring employees to power down their computers when not in use, not all are compliant with these policies. These stickers/signs could be placed in highly visible... more »

reduce electrical bills by installing motion detectors in office building hallways. When someone enters the hallway, the light goes on. If noone is in the hallway, the light stays turned off.

I would like to propose that all government offices and buildings be outfitted with motion detector lights. These lights switch on when needed and can save a great deal of money.

At the office where I work I feel the amount of electricity wasted is quite high. Usually lights are left on long after people leave and sometimes overnight with no one there. Most times the computers are never turned off and climate control is not in our hands. I feel small improvements, such as motion sensitive lighting and the automatic non-use shutdown of computers, could save a great amount of funds.

Walk by any federal office building on any weeknight and it looks as though nearly all of the employees are burning the midnight oil. While these employees are undoubtedly hard workers, in reality most just haven't turned off the lights in their offices. It's estimated that 25% of an organization's electricity costs come from lighting. A government-wide movement to "Power Down" at the end of the day has the potential... more »

Work 4 days per week, 10 hours per day to shut down facilities an extra day per week, saving electricity (shut down computers, air conditioning, and equipment) also saving staff costs such as janitors, cafeteria workers and security.

Lower building temperatures by two degrees. Our building temperature is too cold. As a result, employees run space heaters all day to warm their offices. Out of the fifty people on my floor, thirty-six run space heaters. Often times, when everyone runs their heaters at the same time, the circuit trips and everyone loses their work on their computers. By lowering building temperatures by two degrees, people will be less... more »

During the summer months in the Postal Square Building, the lights in the halls of the BLS are either dimmed or a portion are turned off. This reduces the consumption of electricity (and saves money) during these months when A/C usage is high. However, I suggest that the building keep the lights dimmed throughout the year. The workers can see just as well in the hall and it uses less electricity. If the lights are... more »

DHS has an estimated 200,000 employes and contractors who use laptops and desktop computers for their work every day. But when workers leave the office, many of them do not take the time to shut down their computer. This naturally begs the question: how much money could DHS save by remotely turning off idle computers?

Assumptions:
-10% of workers leave their computers on overnight (20,000)
-The average computer uses... more »