Reduce on the Job

Here are some small changes you can make at the office to reduce consumption and conserve energy:

For employees

Turn off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms and turn down remaining lighting levels where possible.
Use your own ceramic coffee mug or favorite glass rather than Styrofoam or disposable cups.
E-mail documents instead of using the fax machine.
Disable the screensaver on your monitor, and enable the power management tool on your PC.
Implement paper-reducing strategies such as double-sided printing and reusing paper.
Check your lamp shades. Many shades are decorative but absorb light or reflect it in the wrong direction. You may consider switching to a more efficient shade in a lighter color.
Adjust thermostats when space is unoccupied.

Move to halogen lighting company-wide.
Consider placing outdoor signs on a timer so they only run until 1:00 am, saving electricity during non-peak hours.
Clean your air conditioner filters. Window units have filters that should be cleaned with soap and water and air dried monthly while in use.
Stock cups and silverware, instead of plastic plates and utensils.
Use laptop computers. Laptops use up to 90% less energy than a desktop computer.
Install motion sensors in conference rooms, closets, restrooms, and break room. This can reduce lighting costs up to 40 percent in areas where lights are generally left on at all times.
Have the janitorial services personnel clean together one floor at a time, lighting each floor as needed.
Install low flow showerheads, faucets, or flow restrictors.
Install auto door-closers and strip curtains on walk-in freezers or coolers.
Use ink-jet printers whenever possible as they consume 90% less energy than laser printers.
Install locking covers on your thermostats to prevent employee tampering with temperature settings.
Set computers, monitors, printers, copiers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turn them off at the end of the day.