7 Energy Saving Habits you Need to Introduce in your Office
7 Energy Saving Habits you Need to Introduce in your Office
Modern man cannot deny his extensive usage of energy, which has increased his expenses in the form of utility bills on one hand and on the other hand it has increased the chances of our natural energy resources running short, for our future generations. Therefore there is a dire need to make every possible effort to conserve the existing energy as much as possible. In offices there is excessive use of energy but there are different ways to reduce your office energy use, ranging from simple behavioral adjustments to extensive changes.
Energy can be saved using the following tips.
1. Switch off all the equipment at the end of the day
Make sure to switch off all photocopiers, computers, printers daily before leaving the office, especially on weekends and during holidays. Keep printers and photocopiers on ‘energy save’ mode to save more energy. Buy only energy saving equipment for your office. Buying energy saving equipment is cost effective, as the higher cost of an energy saving appliance is eventually balanced with lower utility bills over the life of the appliance.
2. Use laptops instead of computers and upgrade monitors
Laptops are more efficient than desktop computers, consuming less than half the energy. In the same way LCD monitors have greater energy efficiency than the older cathode ray tubes monitors. Opt for smaller screens as large screens consume more energy.
3. Automate a power down
Set all monitors to automatically turn off after 10 minutes of inactivity as screen savers do not save energy
4. Use energy saving lights
Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume an excessive amount of electricity and must be replaced more often than energy saving lights like LEDs. Use LEDs, especially in areas where the lights are on over long periods.
5. Use smart power strips
‘Phantom loads’, or the electricity used by electronics when they are turned off or in standby mode are a major source of energy waste. It is estimated that 75% of the energy used to power household electronics is consumed when they are switched off, which can cost you up to $200 per year. Smart power strips also known as advanced power strips, eliminate the problem of phantom loads by shutting off the power to electronics when they are not in use.
6. Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat can be set to automatically turn off or reduce heating and cooling during the times when you are away. When you install a programmable thermostat, you eliminate waste of energy used in heating and cooling without upgrading your HVAC system or sacrificing any comfort. A programmable thermostat can save you $180 per year.
7. Insulate your office
Insulation plays a key role in lowering your utility bills through retaining heat during the winter and keeping heat out of your office during the summer. The recommended level of heat resistance for your insulation depends on where you live. The level of insulation you should install depends on the area of your office, walls, floors, basement are the main areas where you should consider adding insulation.
If you think your office could benefit from a energy efficient lighting changes or appliances installation contact Skellec Electrical to get started.
