Lowering energy use is a top priority for many businesses at the moment, especially as climate change and rising energy bills are forcing people to rethink how much energy they consume. The staff of Green Energy Solutions mentions that while trying to cut down energy expenses at an office may seem to be daunting at first, the objective can be achieved with a few simple steps.
Green Energy Solutions underlines valuable tips to save energy expenses in offices
Even though modern offices are far more energy efficient than they were a decade or two ago, many offices still use significantly more electricity than they need to. Lowering the electricity consumption at an office has numerous benefits, from helping the environment to reducing the costs associated with running the business in the long term.
Here are a few simple tips to save energy expenses in offices:
- Conduct an energy audit: To lower energy costs at an office it is firstly important to identify where the office is currently losing money. Conducting an energy audit would help in identifying areas of the business where energy use is having a negative financial impact on the company. These audits often include suggestions that can help lower the energy consumption at a facility.
- Switch to energy efficient office equipment: Even though there are expenses associated with upgrading office equipment, getting innovative and energy efficient printers, computers and more can help lower overall electricity consumption at an office. Business owners and managers should especially try to buy equipment with the Energy Star logo – as this logo means that the item is designed to be as energy efficient as possible for a device of its type.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs: Switching traditional incandescent light bulbs with LEDs is a great move. LED bulbs consume less energy, last longer, and emit less heat, reducing both energy consumption and cooling needs.
- Use more natural light: It would be a good idea to dim or turn off artificial lights when sufficient natural light is available inside the office. Positioning workstations near windows and using light-colored paint and reflective surfaces to maximize natural light distribution would not only help in lowering energy consumption, but can also make the office look more warm and inviting.
- Make adjustments to the HVAC settings: The thermostat settings can be adjusted to moderate temperatures during working hours. Keeping temperatures slightly higher in summer and lower in winter can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. In fact, simply reducing heating temperatures by just 1°C can cut fuel consumption by 8%. In a large office, this can save enough energy to print over 40 million sheets of paper. If there is a good amount of footfall in and out of the office building, automatic doors can be installed to lower the amount of heat that escapes.
- Invest in regular cleaning and equipment upkeep: Regularly cleaning office equipment, as well as items like air vents and filters, is important to ensure efficient operation. Dirty equipment can lead to increased energy consumption.
The Green Energy Solutions staff mentions that implementing a combination of the energy-saving tips discussed above can significantly reduce energy expenses in offices, and ultimately help improve its bottom line.
