Business energy savings

Appliances

Some of the gains available in the office are extremely easy to do right away and just require changing a software setting or habit. Others are just relevant when purchasing equipment. In all cases, consider that improving the office energy efficiency will also decrease excess heat, noise and make the equipment last longer.

Computers, Photocopiers, Printers

No costs/ low costs options:

• Turn off all equipment not in use.
• Turn off your computer screen if you’re away from your desk for more than 30 minutes.
• Use energy efficient equipment such as computers with shut-down timers and ‘sleep’ modes.
• Reward people who turn off their equipment with a chocolate fish!

Some investment:

• Consider energy-efficiency when purchasing new equipment. Give preference to equipment with low power stand-by or sleep features.
• Buy energystar products
• If it works for your business, consider ink-jet printers which also use 90 percent less energy than laser printers.
• Purchase the proper sized copier for your business needs.
• Consider having employees use laptop computers since they use up to 90 percent less energy than a standard computer.
• Choose a flat-panel computer monitor rather than a regular cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor. Some flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors use considerably less electricity than comparably-sized CRT models, but the extra first cost is still much more than the lifetime energy savings.

Lifts

• Encourage people to use the stairs, and keep stairs clean and well lit.

Sources:

www.contactenergy.co.nz
www.eecabusiness.govt.nz
www.green-office.org.uk
www.meridianenergy.co.nz