~by Kara Masterson~

As people around the world become more conscious about resource conservation and environmental impact, businesses have become more conscious about their energy-efficiency. Whether the motivation stems from environmental awareness or the financial impact of energy use, the solutions for improvement tend to be the same. Here are a few ways that your business can become more energy-efficient, lowering the impact on both the world’s resources and your company’s bottom line.

Rethink The Lighting Situation

The energy cost of lighting is often taken for granted, with many businesses leaving lights on in unused areas. By encouraging your office to adopt a stricter policy about light controls, your company will save a lot between the monthly power bill and replacement bulbs. Also, consider replacing your current light-bulbs with compact fluorescent light-bulbs (CFL’s), as CFL’s last longer while consuming significantly less energy.

Optimize The Climate Controls

With a variety of people populating an office, you will hear a variety of opinions on the climate control in the building. Though it is impossible to please everyone, you can improve your energy-efficiency by adding a lock-box to the office thermostat, reducing the amount of frivolous air conditioning or heat usage. A programmable thermostat would also be a major improvement, as it can be programmed to lower the usage of climate control after hours.

Upgrade The Office Equipment

While this may sound expensive, upgraded office equipment will quickly pay for itself. Older equipment was not designed with energy consumption in mind, making the outdated equipment a major drain on your power bill. In addition to optimized design for energy consumption, newer office equipment will often include tools and programmable settings that are designed to help save energy at every opportunity.

Control The Computers

Though there are a number of computers in most modern offices, few businesses realize the impact a computer will have on energy usage. Programs and services such as the Shavlik Protect Power Pack can help businesses optimize this, with a suite of controls on a single machine that can set the office computers to sleep mode rather than leaving them on throughout the night.

With these suggestions, your business could drastically change its daily energy demands. All of these methods are easy and affordable ways for your business to lower its environmental impact, with the added bonus of being a quality that customers will enjoy about your company. As your office adopts these new policies, you will rest easier knowing that your company is making the right choices, environmentally and financially.
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Meet the Author:

Kara Masterson

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.