Green Office Guide
Save Energy!
We are taking part in a challenge to reduce our energy consumption by 20%. We will be measuring our energy consumption next year and the year after - and we will let you all know how we do.
We have compiled a plan to reduce energy use, and we came up with a few hints and tips for saving energy which you can do too; plus, they will help you reduce your energy bill at home and at work!
Energy saving tips
Here are some simple ideas to get started and save energy at work and at home:
- Turn off your PC when you are away from your desk for an hour or more, for example at lunch or when you go to a meeting
- Be sure to switch off your monitor as well as your computer
- Avoid using personal space heaters - such heating units use a lot of energy, cause breakers to trip, and are dangerous when left unattended -instead report it to facilities management
- Turn off lights when leaving offices and meeting rooms
- Enable the sleep settings on your computer monitor. Screen savers do not save energy but sleep settings do. For more information, visit the Office Equipment Efficiency Program website|
- Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, coffeepots, and lights every night and on weekends
- Change your print settings to default to double-sided printing, and use email instead of sending memos and faxes. Saving paper saves energy!
- Turn down radiators and thermostats - turning thermostats down by 1°C will save 10% on your energy bill!
- In the summer, open a window rather than turning on the air conditioning - but don't do both at once!
- Unplug your mobile phone charger or turn it off at the wall when you are not using it
For more information, refer to the Energy chapter in our Green Office Guide document (
PDF 1.24M).
To view PDF files requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
More energy saving ideas
It's not just about saving energy at work - here are 3 more energy saving ideas to take home (and on holiday!) and help you to do your bit to combat climate change.
- Buy seasonal and organic food - buying locally produced food means that your lunch or dinner has had to travel less far to reach your table. That means less energy used in transport and refrigeration. (Find out more on the BBC's Lifestyle website)
- Switch to green electricity - buy from a supplier who is producing renewable energy - see the Green Electricity Marketplace website for more information on this. (Find out more about how to save energy, obtain grants, and cut bills in your home too. See the Energy Saving Trust's website)
- If you are planning your summer holidays, why not go by train? No hassle with airports and fewer nasty climate change gases being emitted. One website gives you advice on using train systems globally - check out The Man in Seat 61 and prepare to train your way around the globe. (For other green lifestyle ideas check out the BBC's Lifestyle website)
