While it might create some romance at your workstation with a candle, it’s not the ideal lighting to be productive. However, you need to keep an eye on that darn electricity bill, even if you are running a small business. The good news is that modern business can utilize green energy at very affordable prices, meaning they can cut on utility expenses quite significantly. They just need to look in the right places.
With just a little bit of research, you’ll discover how much you can save in terms of energy costs, and help the environment at the same time. Ultimately, it’s all the small things that make a very big difference, and here are some examples.
1- Green Energy Office:
When it comes to office lighting, people don’t really pay attention. They get switched on as everyone gets to work, and they stay on through the rest of the day. Obviously, this is going to contribute to a very expensive bill, which can be avoided with just a little bit of mindfulness. You should also remember to compare prices to get the best price for energy
2- Cheap and Free Options:
Make it a point to keep the lights off in the rooms that aren’t being used. All employees should also be informed to adhere to this rule.
You can also tap into a perfectly free light source, namely the sun, simply by opening the curtains. If there’s enough free light, it won’t even be necessary for bulbs to be glowing.
Too much light can also be counter-productive because it causes headaches and eye-strain.
As soon as possible, replace conventional (incandescent) bulbs with those that are more energy efficient, for example, CFLs. These don’t use nearly as much energy, and they last a lot longer.
3- Smart Lighting Investment:
Start by replacing old lighting features with modern models, and consider upgrading to an Energy Star LED sign.
In terms of spaces that aren’t regularly in use, such as conference and bathrooms, why not install occupancy sensors? This way the lights will only be used when somebody enters the room.
As for the external lighting, timers and photocells can be very beneficial in curbing excessive use.
4- Affordable and Green Temperature Control:
It’s not just the lighting you can change to save energy. Seeing as everyone is ultimately a victim of the seasons, a lot of energy goes to air conditioners and the like. And if these air conditioners aren’t working, it’s going to slow down production in more ways than one. In order to keep everyone comfortable while being mindful of energy spending, try the following.
5- Heating a Room or Office:
During the winter months, keep the curtains and blinds (for windows facing the sun)open for as long as possible. This is also known as passive solar power because the natural sunlight heats the room while providing natural light.
Fans can be used to circulate the warm air at the ceiling, making it come down to the floor.
Before you head home our out to work, check the thermostat and bring it down to about 5 degrees. If you do this daily, and you keep the thermostat there for 8 hours, you’ll be cutting 10% of your utility costs.
If you are using an HVAC system, keep the maintenance up to date. It’s recommended getting it serviced twice a year (at the beginning of winter and summer).
6- Cooling an Office or Room:
Just like you would use blinds and curtains to let the sun in, you want to use them to keep the sun out when it’s hot outside. Alternatively, you can use solar film or screens.
Fans can also keep you cool up to a point, so use them instead of the air-conditioner for as long as possible.
When the air-conditioner is busy cooling or heating, close all doors, and windows.
7- Electronics and Equipment:
You’ll find many appliances and equipment that seem to run permanently, even when they are not in use. Given that they don’t use excessive power, nobody really pays attention. But in this case, every bit helps.
With electronics and appliances that are plugged in the whole day, you are looking at objects that consistently draw power. That means switching off computers and screens or at least setting them to sleep mode. Also, try to invest in Energy Star products, and unplug batteries when they are fully charged.
