Energy saving tips for the workplase

Personnel
Educate all employees about the importance of conserving our resources. Turn off lights when not in office/rest room/break room. Enable energy saver settings on computer monitors, or if not available, turn off monitor when leaving office (even for an hour or two). There is software available that can be put on a network to put monitors “to sleep” when not in use. Turn off computers, printers, copiers, and lights when leaving for the day. Put signs by elevators asking people to walk up one flight and down two.

Ask employees to consider alternate methods of transportation to get to work and around town: walking, biking, carpool, and van pool. Overuse of vehicles is the greatest contributor to our warming climate. We can cool down by getting out of cars. There are incentives like “cash out,” paying employees the cost of their parking not to drive.

Purchasing
When purchasing new office equipment, look for Energy Star labels—only purchase energy efficient equipment. Buying recycled and recycling decreases energy use on the macro scale, so it is the right thing to do even if it doesn’t result in direct energy savings for the local government. It is an example of “Think globally, act locally.”

• When replacing lights, use compact fluorescent or other high efficiency bulbs.
• When replacing streetlights, use high efficiency bulbs.
• When replacing traffic signals and exit signs, use light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Maintenance/Building
Train maintenance staff about energy efficiency measures. Caulk windows and doors where fittings are not snug. Install UV protective film on windows that reduces heating through the glass. Perform routine maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. When replacing, go with high efficiency systems.

Keep temperatures at comfortable yet reasonable levels for season—high seventies in summer, high sixties n winter.
When possible, allow more daylight into rooms to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Workers are more productive with natural lighting. When building new facilities use green design, consider solar panels; use new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Other
Plant trees and lighten pavements and roofs to reduce urban heat island effect. Lots of paved, dark, impermeable surfaces raise temperatures and create the need for more artificial cooling. Encourage local utilities to purchase more renewable energy.

Include water conservation in efforts. The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) considers this an important part of SB5. Repair leaky sinks and toilets and water fountains. Replace old toilets with the low flow variety. This also saves energy for the area because water pumping is a huge energy drain.