The Green Power Blog

A truly sustainable business should go beyond purchasing green power to offset its conventional power usage and reduce its carbon footprint. Green businesses need to think about how to use less conventional energy from the start.

First, consider the office space. An office that is well-insulated and has energy-efficient windows will use less energy because it will not lose nearly as much heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer. This allows businesses to turn the thermostat up a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter, which saves a lot of energy. An office with lots of natural light also uses less energy for lighting. Fluorescent fixtures and light fixtures with motion sensors are both big energy savers. It can also be useful to use task lighting to light a small area such as a desk rather than a whole room.

Purchasing choices make a big difference, too. Make sure that any new appliance or equipment purchased is Energy Star certified. Have office managers look for Green-e certified products ranging from printer paper to teabags for the break room. Products with recycled content is also preferable, since recycled materials use less energy than virgin materials in the manufacturing process.

Next think about employee habits. Cultivate a climate of dressing for the weather in order to use less electricity for heating and cooling. Encourage employees to turn off all lights, computers, and other equipment when they go home each day. Unplugging items such as computers can also save energy. Start an office recycling program. Have employees bring their own coffee cups each day. Encourage biking, carpooling, and the use of mass transportation. But beware of lecturing. Instead, educate your employees by serving as a model of energy-saving behavior, and by coming up with contests and incentives to make conservation fun.