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Office Energy Saving Tips
Tips for Residents |
Tips for Businesses
= Things you can do right now, at no cost to you!
Office Equipment
Turn
off PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, and lights every night and when
not being used. If you can' turn off the whole computer, turn off the
monitor and printers.
- When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and copers,
consider ENERGY STAR models that "power down" after a period of inactivity.
If appropriate, use laptop computers - they consume 90% less energy
than desktop computers.
- If appropriate, use ink-jet printers - they consume 90% less energy
than laser printers.
Lighting
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Fluorescent lamps can give the same amount of light as incandescent
bulbs, and replacing just half of your light bulbs with CFLs can reduce
your lighting energy use by up to 38%. Even though these bulbs cost
more, they last up to 10 times longer!
Consider
removing excess fluorescent lights and installing reflectors.
Turn
off nonessential and decorative lighting, especially in unoccupied areas.
- Use task lighting to directly illuminate work areas instead of area
lighting.
Lower
the height of light fixtures to increase usable light.
Color
code or mark lights switches and circuit breakers that can be turned off
when not needed.
- Install motion detectors or dimmers to control lighting in frequently
unoccupied areas, such as restrooms.
- Install more efficient security and parking lot lighting - high pressure
sodium fixtures are more efficient than metal halide, mercury vapor,
fluorescent or incandescent fixtures.
- Install time clocks or photoelectric cells to control exterior lighting,
advertising sign lighting and some interior lighting.
- Rewire restroom fans to operate with the lights.
- Paint dark walls and ceiling with lighter colors to maximize the effect
of existing lighting. Dark walls require more power to produce the same
amount of light.
- Maximize natural lighting by installing skylights or windows.
HVAC
- Consider replacing old HVAC systems with the new, energy-efficient
systems.
- Install time clocks or setback-programmable thermostats to turn off
systems when the building is unoccupied to maximize efficiency.
- Perform scheduled maintenance or units including cleaning condenser
coils, replacing air filters regularly, tightening and replacing belts,
and checking ducts and pipe insulation for damage.
- Install blinds, solar screens or shades to cool office.
- Install reflective window film or awnings on all south- and west-facing
windows.
Keep vents closed in unoccupied areas to prevent heating and cooling of
storage areas and closets.
For optimal energy savings, set thermostats at 78 degrees F for cooling
in the summer and 68 degrees F for heating in the winter.; This will save
10-20% of cooling costs and 5-20% of heating costs.
- Install ceiling and wall insulation. If your ceiling is not insulated
or scantily insulated, consider increasing your insulation to reduce
heating costs by up to 25%.
- Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.
- Install intermittent ignition devices on gas furnaces to save gas.
Weatherization
- Install weather stripping around exterior doors and operable windows,
and around doors between heated and unheated or cooled and uncooled
spaces.
- Install door bottoms, threshold, or door “shoes” to seal gaps beneath
exterior doors.
- Insulate exterior walls and floors, and insulate roof or ceiling spaces
to R-19 standards or above wherever possible.
- Install window treatments such as shade screens, shades, awnings,
or overhangs where feasible. Consider interior window film, insulated
drapes, blinds, or removable insulation material.
Refrigeration
- Perform scheduled maintenance on all units.
Keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
Remove internal shelf lights to reduce refrigeration and lighting energy
use.
Remove all, or every other, incandescent bulb over refrigerated meat displays.
- Install auto door-closers and strip curtains on walk-in freezers and
coolers, and keep doors open as little as possible during unloading
and restocking.
Check for proper refrigerant charge monthly.
Source: Pacific Gas & Electric and Sacramento Municipal Utility District web pages |
