Considering the number of hours we tend to spend working, our office building probably uses even more energy than our homes. Therefore, it’s absolutely essential to come up with the best solution to make them more energy-efficient and thus decrease our bills significantly. In order to help you out with this, we’ve prepared a list of some useful advice and ideas. Let’s take a look and let the energy-saving project begin.
1. Opt for smart lighting
One of the most important aspects of every office space is the lighting. After all, you can’t expect the employees to work productively and feel ready to do their best if they spend hours in dim rooms without appropriate lights. However, if you don’t find a smart way to illuminate your office building, you risk consuming huge amounts of energy daily. Therefore, we advise you to switch to LED bulbs which are much more energy-efficient than the regular CFL ones. On top of that, they have been shown to last longer and heat up the space much less which is extremely important during long summer months. Finally, make sure to install enough windows so that your employees and you can enjoy daylight which is not only healthier, but it will also help you save a significant amount of money on bills.
2. Invest in a high-quality HVAC system
Another crucial aspect of every office building is its HVAC equipment (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems) since it consumes a huge percentage of the total energy that your business spends on a monthly basis. Therefore, you should keep the equipment updated and opt for the models which are more energy-efficient. Of course, just buying the latest models is not enough unless you learn how to behave responsibly and don’t overuse them. For example, do you really need to keep your air conditioner always on? Of course not! Sometimes all you need to do in order to reduce heat is bring in some vegetation to hide you from the sun or simply open a window and let the fresh air in.
3. Fix your plumbing
Faulty plumbing is a common issue in office buildings and one of the consequences is definitely the excessive use of water. Therefore, you should make sure to finance an energy retrofit and also, remember to do the necessary pipe relining. Due to this, you’ll avoid spilling money down the drain for constantly fixing corroded wiring and damage caused by moisture and mildew. On top of that, you’ll prevent some serious health issues caused by mold from harming your employees and clients. Finally, by taking care of extensive water consumption, you are protecting the environment as well.
4. EPA-approved equipment
The majority of modern offices can consume twice, if not thrice, the amount of energy a typical household does because of all the equipment that’s constantly being used. Unfortunately, in order for your business to thrive, you need the latest computers, printers, scanners, etc. Luckily, you can switch to Energy Star-labeled office appliances and devices which are estimated to save business owners thousands of dollars yearly. Therefore, make sure to explore all these energy-efficient electronics until you find the perfect ones for your office building.
5. High-end insulation
Last but not least, one of the most commonly skipped topics among business owners is cost-effective insulation solutions. These can reduce the heating bills and carbon footprint by cutting the need for power plant energy production. Furthermore, experts say that the main reason for employee disgruntlement in urban environments is not enough acoustic insulation outside, as well as inside noises. Lastly, make sure to invest in a renovation that will help get your office building certified by the Green Building Council.
As you can see, it doesn’t require much effort to turn your old, wasteful office building into a new, energy-efficient one. All you need to do is invest in alternative heating and insulation solutions, as well as buy Energy Star-rated equipment. Good luck with your project and all the best in your future business endeavors.
About Author:
Cooper Klein is an entrepreneur with a degree in marketing. He’s interested in real estate and home decor. In order to spend more time with his family, Cooper decided to take a break, and he’s currently working from home as a blogger for SmoothDecorator and several other sites.
