10 things you can do right now
- Turn off the lights Lights are often a big consumer of electricity for a small business. If your office isn't occupied, or if you can use natural light, turn off the room lights. If you're leaving a room for more than a few minutes, turn off the lights.
- Make sure you have the right amount of light Offices with primarily computer users often need less light. Too much light can cause glare and make it uncomfortable to work. By reducing the extra ambient light and using task lighting where necessary, you can save electricity and money.
- Replace your lights with high-efficiency fixtures For retail, where you need to highlight your product, halogen lights provide more light than conventional incandescent lamps (almost twice as efficient). In other locations, where presentation isn't quite as critical, compact fluorescent lamps are ideal. They last significantly longer and use only a fraction of incandescent lamps.
- Turn off your computer A common myth is that by leaving your computer on, you extend it's life. In reality, you're reducing it's life and increasing your electric bill 3-4 times what it should be for that computer. Learn how your computer's built-in energy saving functions can help automate this process.
- Control direct sun through windows During the summer, close the blinds during the day to avoid heating the building; at night, open the blinds to let heat escape. During the winter, open the blinds during the day to allow "free" warming; at night, close the blinds to avoid letting heat escape.
- Turn off your water heater If you only use hot water for washing hands, you may not need the expense of a hot water heater. Alternatively, make sure the tank is insulated and that the thermostat is set appropriately. Alternatively, turn the thermostat down.
- Reduce your paper use Remember the grand idea of the "paperless office"? Try it. Avoid printing when you can. Send an email rather than a paper memo. Print on both sides of the paper--this can quickly reduce how much paper you use. And make sure your copier or printer goes into low-power mode and that they are turned off for nights & weekends.
- Turn-up or Turn-back your thermostat During unoccupied time, your office doesn't need to be as cold or as warm when it is occupied. Resetting your thermostat saves energy and money. Consider installing a programmable thermostat.
- Turn off extra equipment that you never/seldom use Turn off and/or disconnect unnecessary equipment such as unused freezers, water heaters, etc.
- Plug the leaks Make sure doors/windows get closed properly to avoid letting conditioned air out and unconditioned air in. Check the weatherstrip around doors and windows to make sure there is a good seal. Check your refrigerator/freezer to make sure it is sealing properly. Be sure you and your staff aren't propping the door open and letting your money escape.
|