Most of us often think about making smart changes in life and finding practical ways to save energy (and money). Even though many of us try to apply “good” behavior practices in all segments of life, we practice them more often in our homes than outside of them. But why not use these good practices every time and everywhere? Some people spend the same amount of time at work as they do at home, so why don’t we treat our workplace the same as our favorite corner at home? By taking care of energy consumption at work, we benefit everyone, more precisely, we behave like good corporate citizens. Corporate citizenship refers to behavior in which an organization demonstrates responsibility towards customers, employees, shareholders and owners, the wider community, and the environment.
In order for you to contribute to energy efficiency in the workplace, experts bring you a few simple tips that will help you save energy and bring positive changes to your work environment.
Turn off artificial and use natural light sources
Artificial light sources consume a lot of energy (and money), while natural light is free. Limit the use of artificial lighting only to parts of the workplace that are out of daylight reach. Use natural light for everything else. Turn off lights in offices, meeting rooms, hallways, or stairs when no one is in the room.
Choose energy-efficient light bulbs
Less energy consumed = less money spent on electricity bills. If your workplace doesn’t receive enough natural light during the day, you can choose less powerful lights. You can replace existing light bulbs with CFL or LED lights. These bulbs consume less energy and last longer. For example, the lifespan of an LED bulb is 20 years, and it saves up to 80% of energy. This type of light bulb consumes 7-8 times less energy than an ordinary light bulb for the same level of illumination.
Turn off devices when they are not being used
Many of us rely on various devices such as computers, laptops, mobile phones, and printers in the workplace, which we often leave on a stand-by option, that is, in standby mode. If the devices are continuously in this state, it can cause up to 10% of the total energy consumption. Only by unplugging the appliance, no energy consumption can be guaranteed. This includes air conditioners, coffee machines, and scanners, especially during weekends or holidays when no one is on the work premises.
Control heating and cooling sources
When it comes to cooling or heating systems, the key thing is to take care of the difference in temperature between the outside and the inside of the workplace. The thermostat is one of the things that will surely make it easier for you to regulate energy consumption because it automatically adjusts the temperature at your workplace when no one is around. Simple things, like keeping doors and windows closed while the heating is on, also help prevent energy waste, as open doors and windows allow heated air to escape and cold air to enter. Also, make sure that your radiators and air conditioners are placed in the right place and that furniture doesn’t block them, as this also affects the efficiency of the device.
Increasing energy efficiency in everyday life is key to fighting climate change. A series of measures applied to reduce energy consumption will help you financially and reduce the negative impact on nature and improve your life quality. Start with yourself and your workplace and spread awareness of energy efficiency to other segments of life.