Saving Energy at the Office

Every workday each of us has the chance to make decisions that create a more sustainable work environment. Many of the choices we can make are very easy to do, while others can be substantial, but in every case these decisions can make a difference for both the environment and your bottom line.

Energy-intensive activities are typically associated with factories and manufacturing processes, but business offices also require a significant amount of energy. Lighting, heating, cooling, office equipment and transportation are all energy users that pose a significant opportunity for a company to reduce costs as well as pollution. Current technology can save you 25% on your energy bills, which translates to $4,000 per year in savings for a 10,000 square foot office. Here are some examples:

Lighting

Lighting accounts for 29% of energy in a typical office. A number of energy saving options can cut the energy used for lighting in half.

• T-8 fluorescents have better color, less flicker and use 20% less energy.
• Compact fluorescent lights should be used in lighting fixtures fitted for incandescent bulbs, including many exterior lights and exit signs.
• Occupancy sensors and photocells are inexpensive and simple to install.
• Switch outside lights from mercury vapor or high-pressure sodium to cut energy use in half.

Office Equipment

Office equipment accounts for 16% of an office’s energy use. If every U.S. computer and monitor were turned off at night, the nation could shut down eight large power stations and avoid emitting 7 million tons of CO2 every year. Offices should only purchase ENERGY STAR appliances including printers, fax machines, copiers, HVAC and refrigerators.

Heating and Cooling Office Air and Water

On average, heating and cooling the air in your office accounts for 39% of energy use in a typical setting. To save energy, consider the following:

• Turning the heating/cooling system off if when it is not needed; an automatic setback thermostat works well for this
• Adjust the temperature by a degree or two; if you can extend that to three to four degrees, you can save up to 10%
• Have your HVAC equipment maintained regularly (or maintained by building management) – including regularly changing filters
• Ask about having reflective coatings or solar shading installed on roofs and windows
• Ask about planting trees
• Make sure your office environment is insulated and weatherstripped.

Turn the water heater temperature knob back a couple ticks to the left. At home or at the office, water heaters do not need to be set higher than 120 degrees. Many water heaters come from the factory preset to 130 or 140 degrees. But you’re not trying to boil lobster – or your employees, so turn that dial down to 120 and save over 18 percent of the energy used at 140 degrees. Even a 10 degree reduction can save more that 6 percent of your water-heating energy.

Think about solar. Residential-style solar water heating systems can work just as easily in office buildings. This system can cut hot water bills in half and state tax credits are available.

Transportation

The daily energy used to transport to and from a building can exceed the energy used by the building itself.

• Subsidize transit for employees
• Encourage ride sharing
• Provide employees with secure bike parking and shower/locker facilities.
• Allow for flexible work arrangements
• For companies with automobile fleets switching to hybrid or biofuels can both increase mileage and cut emissions.