Small steps

10 ideas for saving power in the office

Green Ideas editorial team

Tags at work , save power

10-ideas-for-saving-power-in-the-office-GI06
Print off these tips and pin them up in the office!
  1. Connect lights to sensors in areas like stairwells and bathrooms so you don’t waste power lighting them when no one is there.
  2. Put the air-conditioning on a timer. Have it start 30 minutes before staff arrive, and stop 30 minutes before they leave.
  3. Combine functions when buying new devices. There’s no point having a separate printer, scanner, fax and copier all drawing power if one unit can do everything.
  4. Set a policy of buying only high Energy Star-rated computers and other devices.
  5. Switch to LED lighting!
  6. If you have a hot water cylinder, make sure it has an insulation wrap and the first metre of pipe is lagged. If any part is hot to the touch – insulate it!
  7. Turn the hot water off over the Christmas break.
  8. Consider using a kitchen water heater instead of a jug for hot drinks.
  9. Don’t put the fridge or freezer in the sun or next to an oven.
  10. Employ a company such as Energy Solution Providers (www.espnz.co.nz) to capture real-time data on your company’s energy use. With hard data you’ll be able to work out exactly where you can improve, and start setting savings targets.