5 Easy Ways to Go Green in Your Office
We all grew up learning the “Three Rs” of environmentalism — reduce, reuse, and recycle. But recently, that three has been upgraded to a five, with “repair” and “rethink” being added to the former “green trio.” While homes and schools were some of the first to jump on board the green bandwagon, businesses are still struggling to find ways they can save on energy, supplies, and so much more. If your business is looking to go green this summer (or if you simply want to suggest a few of these ideas to your boss) here are a few ways to do so.
Shutdown your computer. Believe it or not, computers draw more power during the 16 hours a day they are left idle, than the 8 hours a day they are actually being used. At the end of the day, turn off your computer instead of just putting it on sleep mode. On long weekends or holiday breaks, you should unplug your computer completely to prevent wasting phantom power (power that’s consumed when something is turned off but still plugged into a live outlet).
Switch to reusable pens. Each year, Americans throw out 1.6 billion pens because they’ve run out of ink. Cut down on waste by switching to reusable pens. In the long run, the refills are actually less expensive and take up less storage space than traditional pens.
Put a pause on printing. Though most of us feel like everything has moved from paper to digital, companies are still using plenty of paper. Instead of printing out an agenda for everyone in the room, try incorporating it into the beginning of a PowerPoint presentation. When you do have to print, set your printer to the double sided setting.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use three times less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 10 times longer. That means you’ll save on energy costs and bulb replacements.
Install a programmable thermostat. Even in the middle of summer, most employees report being cold in their office. Send out a questionnaire and ask your employees if they’re too cold during the day. Depending on the results, you could likely bump the temperature up a few degrees! A programmable thermostat will give you the ability to regulate temperatures throughout the day. When employees are busiest, you can set the air conditioner a little lower, then have it automatically raised a few degrees while people are out to lunch or getting ready to leave for the day.
Leslie Heating and Cooling is a family-owned and operated business based in Woodridge, Illinois. If you’re interested in learning more about our “go green” initiatives, or would like a customer system inspection of your equipment, give us a call! Our service professionals are trained to provide friendly and professional solutions to any of your comfort needs.
