Tips to save energy Published Oct. 30, 2007 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Conserve not only money, but also natural resources with the following Green Tips: General awareness - Create an awareness in children for the need of energy conservation. - Be aware of the need for energy conservation at home, the workplace, hotels, etc. Lighting: - When leaving a room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights. - Turn off ambient lighting and utilize day lighting when possible. - An energy-saving lamp uses 80 percent less electricity than normal lamps -- at 10,000 hours of lifetime, a 20-watt energy-saving lamp saves approximately 70 Euro. - Fluorescent lamps with electronic ballast have the largest potential to save energy. They can burn for longer time frames and are suitable in work areas. - Arrange big rooms so that the individual areas can be lighted independently. - Halogen- or low voltage lights are not energy-savings lamps. - When electronics are plugged into a transformer, it should be switched off or it will always be in use. - Brightly painted rooms need fewer lights.