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ACAP Cape Breton is developing a Greening your Business Program and Resource Guide to help businesses reduce their ecological footprint. ACAP Cape Breton will complete a plan, tailored to your business, to provide you with all the information necessary to make your business environmentally friendly. For more information call 567-1628.
A variety of electronics and appliances can be found in any office setting - all of which use lots of energy. Making simple changes around the office can not only reduce the amount of energy being used, it can also lessen expenses.
Here are some easy tips to conserve
energy in the office:
•
When not in use, turn off computers and laptops or use the
hibernate function.
•
When work is finished for the day, make sure all electronics
are shut off, including computers, monitors, printers, copiers,
lamps,
etc…
•
Remove lamps that are not needed.
•
Post Reminders next to light switches or install occupancy
sensors to keep lights off in unused areas. Occupancy sensors
turn off lights automatically when space is unoccupied, saving
about 25% of the lighting energy.
•
Open curtains and blinds, allowing natural light to illuminate
office space.
•
Switch off the lights when you leave the office, and install
motion detectors or timers for lights in infrequently used
areas.
•
For lights that must be left on all the time use the lowest
wattage necessary, and consider compact fluorescent bulbs
which use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
•
Retrofit your EXIT signs with light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Typical EXIT signs consume 20 to 50 watts and last 2,000
to 5,000 hours and have to be replaced about 4 times a year.
LEDs
consume about 2 watts and last 100,000 hours or more!
•
Instead of using ceiling fixtures that light entire rooms,
use compact fluorescent task lighting.
•
Use compact fluorescent lamps.
•
Use timers or photocells for outdoor security and parking
area lighting.
•
Install dual switches and dimmers.
•
Adjust lighting levels to match needs at different times.
•
Install a programmable thermostat and set it to begin 30
minutes before employees arrive at work and to stop 30 minutes
before they leave.
•
Turn down the heat instead of opening windows and doors if
your office is too warm. In the summer, use the minimum setting
on your air conditioner that is necessary for comfort.
•
Photocopy only what you need.
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