With the energy prices soaring and the carbon emissions getting worse every day, citizens are trying to take a more proactive stance on cutting back on their environmental footprints. Businesses are following suit and in the new millennium, “going green” has become a hot topic. With new and improved energy saving devices and tactics, there is no excuse for any company not be reducing their output and putting energy management strategies to work for them.
1. Create a Utility Management Strategy. Prepare a document or email that lists all of the ways to save power and circulate it via email. Better yet, have a staff meeting and get employee input into the strategy. Try to make it a team effort. If you set a “savings goal” for year-end, you could even put the money towards new energy efficient computers or office machinery.
2. Switch Off at Night. This is a simple, quick and easy way to save power. It’s a no-brainer, but yet some offices continue to have signs, fluorescent lights and computers eating energy all night long. Great ways to remind employees are small and tasteful signs above light switches and an e-memo for computers, printers, etc. Be sure to clear the nightly power shut-downs with your IT department first.
3. Make Some Changes. If you have any outdated light bulbs, change them to fluorescent bulbs, or halogen. When replacing computers, monitors, printers, choose energy saving appliances. Also, replacing overhead lighting with skylights and area lighting will certainly broaden your electricity savings as well.
4. Hands Off the Thermostat. Install programmable thermostats for the offices and encourage employees to dress for the office temperature. Be sure to keep the temperature lower at night and a degree or two higher during the day. Decreasing your regular office temperature by even 1-2 degrees everyday will not only save quite a bit on the utility bills, but also reduce your company’s carbon emissions.
5. Encourage Employees to Walk. Using the stairs instead of elevators, car-pooling and using public transit will not only reduce your company’s carbon footprint, it will also encourage healthy lifestyles and a way for employees to take incorporate energy management into their personal lives as well.
By following the 5 steps above, your company can reduce its carbon footprint working as a team and start to pass on some money and earth-saving energy management techniques.
Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching Power Consultants and energy saving techniques.
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