ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

Saving energy is good business because it cuts expenses. It is also environmentally wise and responsible. There are numerous things you can do to save energy costs in our office and facility. They range from simple things (such as turning off lights when not required to ambitious and expensive initiatives such as changing existing air-conditioning systems to more energy-efficient systems.

1. Turn Off Lights
Turn off the lights when not in use.
Consider installation of motion-activated lights in less-used hallways or common areas that will turn off after a period of set time and automatically turn on only when someone enters the area. For areas without such sensors, think of ways to remind people to turn off lights as a big part of their personal responsibility.

2. Upgrade Your Lights
Incandescent light bulbs are being phased out replaced by LED and energy-efficient fluorescent lights, as well as UID lights for large spaces. But even with fluorescent lights, one to upgrade the fixtures, as older versions tend to be less energy efficient. When looking for replacement bulbs, lumen is the main consideration, not watt Lumens measure how much light the bulb delivers, watts measure how much electricity is consumed to provide the light while a big portion of it is wasted as heat. Look for energy efficient bulbs delivering the lumens needed.

3. Use Power Management Settings on Equipment and Devices
Screensavers used to be in vogue, but not anymore. Today, a black screen on a computer monitor not in use is a beautiful sight! On computers, printers and other pieces of office equipment, use the recommended power management settings to shut them off or go into Hibernate Mode when the technology is not in use.

4. Move IT to the Cloud
Consider getting rid of your computer servers, and instead go for cloud-based systems. This way there will be no more running of multiple servers nor electricity wasted cooling of those hot data centres On top of that, more employees could telecommute.

5. Control the Sun Through Window Areas
Office buildings tend to have numerous windows adding significant heat load on your air conditioning systems, hence consuming a great deal of electricity and paying exorbitant electricity bill monthly. Solar window films, blinds and awnings can help keep the office cool and reduce electricity consumption, contributing further to lesser greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Don’t Forget the Landscaping!
A landscaping design for your facility that is water intensive can use a tremendous amount of water resources. Switch to xeriscaping or native plants that do not need to be cuddled with excessive water. If possible (and if within local code) “reuse” water from a local pond or rainwater runoff for watering your outdoor and landscap.

7. Fix Leaks Around Windows and Doors
A few tubes of caulking around windows, or use of some weather-stripping materials around doors, may prevent energy losses that escalate air-conditioning bills.

8. Check Into Renewable Energy Sources
Solar power and other renewable energy is a long way from replacing electricity or other primary energy sources (such as coal, oil and gas) completely for the vast majority of businesses and households. But solar panels, geo-thermal heat pumps, wind turbines and other renewable energy sources could be used to reduce reliance on conventional energy. Incentives and programmes have been introduced for these options — ranging from tax breaks and rebates, to grants and loan programmes. Take advantage of these benefits.

source : https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/10/how-to-save-on-energy-costs-office.html