Beatrice Lang
Reducing electricity consumption in the office is important for both environmental and financial reasons. With energy bills and operational costs remaining high, introducing energy efficiency measures at work could save your business money and improve your sustainability credentials. There are many ways to save electricity in the office, and most can be implemented through small changes to employee behavior or the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), dimmers, motion sensors, or occupancy sensors to reduce energy use and costs. Turn off lights when not in use and make use of natural lighting. |
| Heating and Cooling | Install programmable thermostats to reduce temperature when no one is around. Use heating controls and set the heating and cooling within the range of 16°C to 24°C. |
| Office Equipment | Use energy-efficient products and technologies. Unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use. Replace desktop computers with thin clients, notebook computers, or laptops. |
| Energy Audits | Conduct energy audits to determine baseline energy use and identify areas for improvement, such as air leaks and draughts. |
| Peak Demand | Stagger work hours and run heavy equipment during off-peak hours to reduce energy demand during peak times. |
| Employee Engagement | Educate employees on energy-saving practices and encourage them to turn off and unplug devices when not in use. |
| Refrigeration | Optimise refrigeration units by keeping doors closed, switching off lights inside, avoiding overfilling, and regularly defrosting. |
| Sensors and Gateways | Use smart sensors and gateways to measure and monitor energy consumption, such as pulse counters and temperature sensors. |
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What You'll Learn
Utilise natural lighting
Natural lighting is a free source of energy and can be utilised to reduce electricity consumption in the office. In a commercial setting, interior lighting is responsible for about 38% of all electricity consumption. Therefore, adding ways for natural light to enter your office is a great way to reduce electricity costs.
One way to do this is by incorporating windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces strategically to welcome natural light into the interior of the building. Windows also allow for outdoor views and a feeling of connection to the outdoors, which has been shown to increase productivity. The Komorebi Effect, a Japanese concept loosely translated as the effect of sunlight filtering through the trees, can be recreated in the office by incorporating plants and natural light, creating a calm and soothing work environment.
Another way to increase natural light in the office is by using glass doors and partition panels. Glass doors allow more light to enter the building and between rooms, reducing the need for lighting fixtures. Glass partition panels create separation and acoustic privacy while drawing natural light further into the office space. If privacy is a concern, frosting can be applied to glass doors and panels to obscure views into the workspace.
The positioning of employees' desks and workspaces also determines how much natural light they receive. By reconfiguring the office layout, each desk can have access to more natural daylight and, therefore, less need for artificial lighting. In the winter months, opening blinds on south-facing windows during the day can allow sunlight to naturally heat the workspace, reducing the need for artificial heating.
Utilising natural lighting in the office can not only reduce electricity consumption but also provide benefits for employees. Studies have shown that natural light increases employee productivity and satisfaction, leading to improved work performance and reduced employee turnover.
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Reduce heat loss
Reducing heat loss in an office can help to lower energy consumption and costs. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Insulation
Insulating the office is a great way to reduce heat loss. For new or refurbished offices, floor insulation can be added between the joists or layered across the entire concrete space before the flooring is installed. Insulating materials can also be sprayed underneath suspended flooring to stop draughts and prevent heat loss. If carpets are installed, underlay can be used to keep heat loss at bay.
Windows
Draught-proofing windows is an effective way to reduce heat loss. One simple test is to see if you can fit a penny between the window and its frame; if you can, it's time to fit draught-proofing. Double glazing is a standard feature in new buildings, but triple glazing can be considered for offices exposed to high winds. High-performance glass with a coating or film can also be installed to improve insulation by allowing solar energy in while preventing heat from escaping.
Heating
Smart or programmable thermostats can be installed to automatically adjust temperatures, boosting efficiency and reducing energy bills. Energy-efficient heating solutions, such as LED or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, can also help reduce energy consumption.
Lighting
LED bulbs can help save up to 80% on lighting costs. Replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or LEDs for desk lamps and overhead lighting can reduce energy use. Dimmers, motion sensors, and occupancy sensors can also be used to automatically turn off lighting when areas are unoccupied.
Other Tips
- Close internal doors to minimize heat loss.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors with silicone sealant or draught strips.
- Perform regular maintenance to identify and address any issues, such as broken window frames or panes.
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Prevent phantom energy
Phantom energy, also known as vampire power, is the energy used by idle or "always-on" devices that are plugged in but not in use. In 2005, a study by the NRDC suggested that 10% of the energy used monthly in households came from phantom sources. This number has likely increased as the number of devices in homes and offices has grown.
To prevent phantom energy from driving up your office's energy bill, follow these steps:
Identify Phantom Loads:
Locate appliances and devices in your office that continue to draw electricity even when they are turned off or on standby mode. Examples include phone and laptop chargers, microwaves, electric toothbrushes, vanity mirrors, desktop computers, printers, and fax machines.
Unplug Devices:
The simplest way to prevent phantom energy is to unplug devices when they are not in use. While it may be easier to unplug some devices like chargers, it is still beneficial to unplug less convenient devices like microwaves, as this will significantly reduce phantom energy.
Use Power Strips:
Utilize power strips or extension cords to make it easier to turn off multiple devices at once. Group devices based on usage, so you can switch off power to infrequently used devices all at once.
Smart Strips/Power Bars:
Consider investing in smart strips or power bars, which are extension cords that automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices drawing only a passive load. Alternatively, they may have a switch that allows you to manually turn off electricity to all devices at once, preventing them from continuing to draw power.
Replace Devices:
Where possible, replace desktop computers with thin clients, notebook computers, or docking stations, as these use less energy. Also, look for printers and fax machines with power management features, and copiers with a low standby feature.
By implementing these steps, you can significantly reduce phantom energy consumption in your office, leading to lower electricity bills and a more environmentally friendly workplace.
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Install energy-efficient lighting
Installing energy-efficient lighting is one of the easiest ways to reduce electricity consumption in an office. Lighting control is directly linked to the well-being of employees and offers a large potential for energy savings.
One of the fastest ways to cut energy bills is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient lighting. LED bulbs are one of the most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technologies, and they can help save up to 80% on lighting costs. They are available in a range of sizes, types, colour temperatures, and brightness levels, making them a versatile option for both indoor and outdoor lighting. CFLs are another energy-efficient option that can be used for outdoor lighting fixtures, and they have been tested to withstand rain and snow.
To further enhance energy savings, consider installing dimmers, timers, and motion sensors. Dimmers can lower light levels, while timers and motion sensors can automatically turn off lights when an area is unoccupied. In spacious office buildings, a centralized control system such as a BMS can be used to define time slots for turning lights on and off and modulating lighting levels based on occupancy.
In addition to lighting fixtures and controls, optimizing the interior architecture can also improve lighting efficiency. Clear partitions, bright walls, and ceilings can increase luminosity without increasing energy consumption. Regular maintenance of lighting equipment, such as changing lamps at the right time and cleaning reflectors annually, can also help extend the service life of the equipment and reduce energy losses.
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Optimise equipment speed
Optimising equipment speed is key to reducing electricity consumption in the office. Here are some ways to do this:
Refrigeration Units
Refrigeration units are essential in keeping perishable goods and produce fresh, but they can also consume a lot of energy if not optimised. To ensure your refrigeration units are running efficiently, keep the doors closed, and switch off the lights inside when not needed. Don't overfill the units, and defrost freezers regularly. Also, ensure that the door seals are in good condition, and that there is space around the vents to allow for proper air circulation.
Compressed Air Pipes
Compressed air pipes are commonly used in various office equipment and manufacturing processes. To optimise their energy usage, listen for any leaks and promptly repair them. Regularly change the air filters to prevent blockages and maintain efficient airflow.
Computers and Monitors
Computers and monitors are often left on standby or with the screensaver running, wasting electricity. Encourage staff to turn off their computers and monitors at the plug when they leave for the day. Alternatively, they can put their computers into sleep/hibernation mode if they are stepping away for a short period. To make this easier, activate power-saving settings on all computers and laptops.
Printers and Other Communal Equipment
Printers and other communal equipment like copiers and fax machines should be set to power-saving mode and turned off at the end of the day. When purchasing new equipment, look for those with power management features.
Lighting
Lighting accounts for a significant portion of an office's energy usage. To optimise lighting, replace old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights, which consume less electricity and last longer. Use task lighting to focus light on specific areas instead of brightly lighting an entire room. Take advantage of natural daylight by arranging desks near windows, and use dimmers or motion sensors to automatically turn off lights when not in use.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to reduce electricity consumption in an office, such as replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), using natural lighting, and adjusting window blinds to block direct sunlight during warm months.
Energy costs can be reduced by staggering work hours to reduce energy usage during peak hours, using programmable thermostats to manage the temperature during "off" hours, and preventing "phantom energy" by connecting computer peripherals to power strips to easily shut down multiple devices at once.
To make your office lighting more energy-efficient, you can use task lighting to focus light on specific work areas instead of brightly lighting an entire room. You can also install lighting sensors and dimmers to automatically turn off or dim lights when they're not in use.
It is important to unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use, such as phone chargers, fans, and desktop computers. You should also encourage employees to turn off monitors and computers at the plug when they leave and to avoid standby mode.
Educating employees about simple tips for reducing energy usage and forming an energy team to assess possible improvements can help engage employees in energy-saving practices. Providing signs reminding employees to unplug kitchen appliances when not in use is also an effective strategy.
