Conserving Energy In The Workplace

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There are numerous ways to save on energy costs in the workplace other than the obvious ones. In this read, we are going to mention a few things that you can do today to lower the consumption of energy in your office and in turn, reduce the energy bills.

 

Reducing The Consumption of Energy in The Workplace

 

One of the most effective ways to minimize your energy costs is by getting your staff and management team to think about the energy they utilize on the regular. By choosing a good energy company and implementing a few tips that we came across and if you like them, you may want to consider printing this sheet and hanging it in your workplace.

 

Tips for Saving Energy Through Office Equipment

 

Modern electrical devices tend to consume a great deal of electricity when being used and almost the same amount when not turned off after use. Nearly every workplace nowadays has desktops, monitors, laptops, printers, photocopiers, and printers that are not always in use.

 

 

Most people think that desktop screen savers are meant to save power, but in reality, they just keep the screen from being pixelated. As such, it’s usually best to put the computers in sleep mode or just turn them off when not in use.

 

Also, did you know that PCs consume about 90% more energy than laptops? It might be hard to believe, but the desktops generate power of up to 320 watts while laptops generate at most 60 watts, with the lowest being 15 watts. A workstation PC used on average 8 hours per day would cost you around $150 in energy bills per year while a new laptop would not exceed $10 per year.

 

 

Replacing laserjet printers with inkjet ones can also save you up to 90% in energy bills. However, as we all know, the cost of inkjet printers cartridges far outweighs that of laserjet models.

 

 

Always turn off the electric devices at night and during the weekends instead of leaving them in sleep mode.

 

You should do away with the habit of leaving equipment, particularly TVs and monitors in standby mode. Some models tend to use the same amount of electricity in this mode as if they were turned on.

 

Tips For Saving Energy on Lights

 

It is not uncommon for workplaces to have most of their lights on all day and night which is completely unnecessary. Even if you have energy saving bulbs, they are still consuming power when switched on. Having the lights on when there’s no one is just a waste of energy.

 

Consider installing motion sensor lighting for security reasons and ensure the lights are strategically placed to deter intruders.

 

Here are a few more office lighting tips:

 

-Turn off the lights when they are not in use and put reminder stickers near the switches to help the staff remember.

 

-Consider replacing conventional bulbs with energy-saving models. These are known to consume up to 70 percent less energy, and they are currently cheaper than ever. An additional benefit is that they not only look and feel like conventional bulbs, but they tend to be brighter. The latest versions even light up faster and so; you would just be ignorant if you keep purchasing the old types.

 

-If you are reluctant in using energy saving bulbs, you may want to consider fluorescent bulbs which consume around 10% less energy than their counterparts. The current models have less flicker and last longer than the older type.

 

-You should take advantage of natural lighting in your workplace, particularly next to the windows. Move the high storage facilities and open the blinds to allow more natural light into the office.

 

-It’s also advisable to install motion sensors in areas that are not frequently used like corridors, washrooms and storage rooms. This will allow automatic shutdown of lights when nobody is around.

 

Heating & Cooling Your Workplace

 

Heating and cooling the workplace can significantly add to your energy bills if not properly managed. Educating your employees to have an energy saving mindset can help you save on bills and even bring some cultural change. Heating and cooling appliances often use electricity or gas which could affect your energy consumption and costs alike.

 

That said, here are a few ways to conserve energy in regards to heating and cooling:

 

-Keep the interior at stable temperatures instead of having the appliances run all the time.

 

-Bring down the thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees. Most workplaces need a stable temperature of about 20 degrees. If possible, disable the thermostats so that the employees cannot adjust the temperatures themselves.

 

-Keep the internal and external doors closed at all times. If you run a warehouse, that is in constant use, you should install a well-insulated door between external and internal spaces.

 

-Install timers so that heating is done at the right time in the morning and shuts down at night. During the colder months, ensure that it comes on at a lower temperature to ensure that the pipes do not freeze and ultimately bust.

 

-Last but not least, ensure that the office doors and windows are properly insulated to avoid heat escapes and cold air entrance.