Use Power Efficiently at the Office

Have a long-term goal to reduce your overhead and operating budget? Every few years firms can schedule professional energy audits, which pinpoint where your office is wasting energy and suggest how to increase efficiency. Follow these simple tips to keep your employees comfortable while cutting your summer energy bill:

Install a programmable thermostat. If your office is empty at night, don’t waste energy and money by cooling it when you’re off the clock—set it to click on an hour or two before employees arrive in the morning.

Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. While slightly more expensive than the traditional bulbs used in desk lamps or hanging fixtures, fluorescent bulbs use less energy, last for several years and produce little heat.

Turn up the thermostat two or three degrees. Employees will barely notice the negligible temperature change, but you’ll see a huge difference on the monthly bill.

Set computers to “sleep” or “hibernate” when not in use. Choose this energy-saving setting for your work computer while at home and vice versa. And remember to turn off and unplug all electronics while on vacation.

Also, the next time you’re in the market for new breakroom appliances, office equipment or electronics, look for products with the “Energy Star” sticker, which meet or exceed Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency standards, or browse the program’s Web site, www.energystar.gov, before you head to the store.

Source: www.bankrate.com.