Download Office Energy Saving Tips

Sustainable Office Certification Program Clarkson University Office Energy Saving Tips 1. Turn off lights (and other equipment) when not in use. High utility costs often include paying for energy that is completely wasted. 2. Make sure any desk lights use CFL or LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs can use 3-­‐4 times the energy as these 3. Utilize free natural light during the day – turn lights off even when you are in a room if daylight is available. 4. Do not "over-­‐light" to prevent glare, eyestrain and headaches. Too much light can be as bad for visual quality as too little light -­‐ and it costs significantly more. 5. It is not true that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. Turn off ALL appliances before leaving the office. 6. Plug all devices into a power strip. Many devices continue to draw power even when turned off. This is referred to phantom loads. Simply flick the on/off switch on the power strip and the phantom load vanishes from the devices 7. Using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and cameras is more cost effective than disposable batteries. If you must use disposables, spent batteries are collected in buckets at the Student Center Information desk and in the ERC atrium. 8. Update computer monitors from cathode ray tube (CRT)-­‐traditional television like-­‐to a liquid crystal display (LCD). LCDs are easier on the eyes and use less electricity than CRTs.* 9. Appliances set to low-­‐power mode not only save energy but also helps equipment run cooler and last longer 10.
Long-­‐Term $avings Tip -­‐ ENERGY STAR-­‐labeled office equipment and EPEAT rated computers and electronics are widely available. It can provide dramatic energy savings— as much as 75% savings for some products. Overall, ENERGY STAR products use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Find ENERGY STAR products and standards at www.energystar.gov and EPEAT products at http://www.epeat.net/ 11. Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; laptops use much less energy than desktop computers. 12. During heating season, with the sun low in the South, unobstructed southern windows can contribute solar heat gained during the day. Open your blinds – but close them at night to prevent radiant losses. 13. Switch off your water cooler at night. Doing this simple strategy saves 40% of the energy consumption *Contact custodial service for proper disposal of e-­‐waste