5 Ways to Make Your Office More Energy Efficient

Perhaps one of the greatest reasons to go (green aside from helping the environment) is that going green often keeps some green in your wallet! Power and energy are expensive, so naturally, saving them not only gives back to nature, it also gives back to you. Companies and offices are expensive enough to run as it is. To help you keep hold of your green, here's some green, eco-friendly tips to help make your office more energy efficient!

Timer On Thermostat

Setting a timer on your thermostat is a great way to keep things green in the office, and save yourself a bit of cash too. Instead of leaving the AC on to cool endless rooms of modular cubicles for business use when no one is there, put some money back in your pocket by saving the energy. Simply set your thermostat on a timer so that it cuts off after closing time. This way it won't be cooling a workplace with no people in it. Then set it so that it cuts back on a little while before opening time. This way, the office is nice and cool when everyone walks in the next day - and you can finally pay for some comfortable new office chairs!

Use LED and Incandescent Lighting Instead of Fluorescent

Being brighter, more energy efficient, and less costly, LED lighting for office desks is the way of the future! Rather than spending a bundle on traditional desk lamps and lighting fixtures for the office, go ahead and replace your old fluorescent bulbs with these newer, more efficient styles. With an average lifespan of 50,000 hours, LED is definitely the longest lasting and also the cheapest lighting source, averaging around $30 per year to operate, even if it does cost more at the store. Furthermore, LED and incandescents do not contain dangerous mercury like fluorescents do, which can cause serious damage to the environment, your pets, and you. If you choose to go fluorescent, be prepared to call the hazmat team to clean your desk should you break the bulb. Yikes!

Change Computer Settings

When computers are constantly up and running, the bright screens can suck a lot of power as opposed to being in "sleep mode." Setting your computer's screen to go black after the shortest amount of inactivity time it offers is an excellent way to save power and money when away from the desk. Some computers even offer an "Eco" feature in the settings that also saves power by adjusting brightness by sensing the surrounding lighting conditions (which is also better for the eyes)! Doing this and turning your computer completely off at the end of the day might eventually save enough money so that you can finally get some energy efficient accessories for computer use in the office!

Plant Trees Outside Windows

Planting trees is always a good way to help the environment and improve the air quality around your whole facility! The trees are an excellent way to landscape and provide your business with a little extra shade to keep the office cooler and cost less on AC. Visitors love the view of the birds and greenery from the eco friendly waiting room furniture, and the pretty trees improve the appearance of the whole workplace. You may not even have to do the work yourself! See if any local schools have a green group to see if they're interested in gaining some community service time!

Plug In Timers

Few people stop to consider how much power is drained by vending machines, water coolers, and coffee makers, but it can be significant. These devices, while tasty, are primarily inactive and always plugged in. But don't worry, we're not going to neglect you coffee for your workday. Instead of spending $80 annually to run these products, save yourself the trouble by putting them on timers. Like the AC, timers will keep them from draining power when no one's around. Choosing environmentally friendly office furniture, Energy Star gadgets, and office products certified by Greenguard can help as well. Together, they ensure that your workplace is eco-friendly and wallet friendly too!

How to Create an Eco Friendly Office in 2014

It's no secret that green is in. Everywhere, interiors are getting that fresh-as-a-daisy springtime look with a bit of this color dabbed on the walls and the furniture. Designers believe that green has a calming effect, and research shows it may improve reading ability and focus, so it's no wonder the color is so popular in work and office environments. Still, perhaps more than anything else, green symbolizes nature. The "Green Movement" is becoming more and more popular everyday, and with all the green on the walls, it's only natural that people want to pursue the mindset. If you're thinking of turning your office green, there's no better time than 2014 to do it! Here's some great "green" furniture to help you get started!

Chair

A few people might think that an office chair is the last place you want to go green. Sure, the color is fine, but "green" furniture usually composed of cheap recycled products that aren't very durable, right? Most might think that this would make a chair pretty uncomfortable. Well, we're delighted to tell you that this is very false. There are plenty of eco friendly computer chairs for office use out there that will leave you feeling as though you're sitting on a cloud! Chairs like the 5100FPGRN Bodyflex Chair by Eurotech even feature ergonomic components such as a self inclining mechanism to balance body weight. The best part is that most of these chairs even feature breathable mesh backs, contributing a cooling effect. This in addition with the eco friendly production produces chairs that are both comfortable and insanely affordable to boot!

Desk

In the past, office desks have been just one of the many reasons forests around the world were disappearing. Executives loved the natural look of a fancy wood office desk, but unfortunately, that beautiful natural look wasn't staying in nature where it belonged. Fortunately, this is turning around. Thanks to the spike in world consciousness about the state of the planet, executives have begun to demand greener office products. Office furniture manufacturers like Mayline were only too happy to oblige. In response to demand, Mayline started producing lines of affordable green desks for office use manufactured sustainably out of wood and other materials. Today, green office desks are all the rage, and that's not likely to change in 2014. There are desks available for just about any office environment, from reception areas, to executive offices, and training rooms alike!

Accessories

That's right! The green doesn't end with the furniture. Whether designers realize it or not, there are tons of great "green" office accessories certified by Greenguard to prove their sustainable production! These accessories range from receptionist phones, to storage products, to mobile file carts, and so much more. When decorating an office in 2014, be sure not to miss out on all of the eco friendly office supplies. Even companies like Safeco that produce ergonomic accessories are gearing up to support the planet by manufacturing ergonomic monitor arms and keyboard trays to keep their patrons comfortable and eco friendly at the same time. With a bit of smart shopping, office designers never have to sacrifice convenience or comfort for the sake of the planet!

Lighting

One of the best parts about going green is that it often saves tons of money. When designing an office space, lighting can be one of the easiest ways to save. All good lighting takes is an open window, and in an office environment, this can make all the difference in the work ethic of a business. Studies show that natural lighting can actually improve mood and productivity in employees. If you think your office space might not have the best natural light source, sometimes repainting can help tremendously. Painting in bright colors, such as light blue, light green, yellow, or even white can help diffuse light over a greater area so that the whole room appears brighter than it would be if the walls were painted in darker hues. However, if a sufficient natural light source cannot be used or created, choosing LED desk lighting for office use, like the PIXIE Task Light by ESI, is a much more eco friendly way of brightening up your office space.

Mindset

One of the easiest ways to save lots of money in 2014 will come from staying in a "green" mindset. Make it your New Year's resolution to go green and do it by remembering to unplug any electronics not in use. Few people realize that hairdryers or phone chargers plugged into walls suck electricity, even if they're powered off. The same goes for electric office accessories. Instead of leaving things plugged in, simply unplugging them will save heaps of money on your electric bill. If you'd rather not unplug a computer, activate it's energy saving settings (most computers come pre-programmed with these). Set you computer so it's display and hard drive go to "standby" or "sleep" after a periods of inactivity. Another great way to go green at the office is to find products certified by the Energy Star label in the USA. This way, you can be sure that your office can both go green and save green in 2014!