Has anyone ever told you they are “going green”? For many of us, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that phrase is recycling. Recycling is quickly becoming part of our everyday life, especially in our homes. But, did you know there are lots of other ways we can “go green” and create even more positive change in our office space?
Many Americans spend at least one-third of their day in an office. Imagine if we applied the same conservation rules we use in our homes to our offices? The results would be astounding! But, where do you begin? Below are some simple, yet effective ways you can save money, energy, and the environment in your office.
Turn off Lights
One of the simplest ways to save energy is by turning off lights. According to the DOE, 44% of the energy used by an office each year comes from the lighting. Simply reminding co-workers to turn off lights when they leave a room will save energy and money. Put a friendly reminder sign next to light switches. This will help everyone remember. Motion-activated lights are another option for common areas and rarely used hallways. They will only turn on when an employee is in the area and will turn off when the space is not being used.
It’s also critical to upgrade your lights to Energy Star-qualified bulbs. Not only do they last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, they use about 75 percent less energy. Consider upgrading to LED and UID lights. Even exit signs are sources of high energy use. Don’t forget to upgrade them to LED lights as well.
Unplug Technology
It seems that everything in the office needs a plug! Your computer, the office printer, and the countless phone chargers are literally sucking the energy out of your building. Computers have energy saving options built in. If it’s not in use, consider setting it to “sleep mode”. It will automatically “go to sleep” if idle for more than 10 minutes. Unplug laptops and phone chargers when they aren’t in use and try using power strips for all your equipment. Then, you can shut everything down at the end of the day with a push of a button. Also, always look for the Energy Star label on new technology purchases.
Go Paperless
Did you know the typical office worker using 10,000 sheets of copy and printer paper each year? Although many companies are opting to “go paperless” to help save money and natural resources, some companies don’t have that luxury or need paper to run their businesses. To cut paper usage, try:
- Putting employee manuals, forms, and documents online
- Setting your printer to print double-sided
- Buying recycled paper
- Sharing large manuals with co-workers
These are just a few of the ways you can help save energy and money in your office space. If your office needs any electrical upgrades or you have further questions about how to help conserve energy in your office, contact one of our highly trained electricians at Main Stream Electric today.
