Saving electricity in the workplace can help reduce energy bills, improve energy efficiency and lower the company's carbon footprint. Here are some simple ways to cut down on your energy consumption habits.
1. Don’t use hot water unnecessarily
Wash hands with cold water instead of hot water.
2. If you notice a leaking tap, report it
A dripping tap is a waste of both water and electricity.
3. Turn off the lights
Do this at the end of the day and when leaving a room for more than five minutes.
4. Maximise on natural light
If your office has exposure to natural light, utilise it. Switch off lights near windows if possible.
5. Open up
Open the curtains/ blinds in the morning rather than turning on lights.
6. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
LEDs can save 80% to 90% on electricity used for lighting.
7. Use task lighting
Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where needed, to directly illuminate work areas. This allows you to turn off any unnecessary lights.
8. Choose light colours for interior paints
Dark colours require more energy to light a room.
9. Use the AC economically
In summer, set the AC at the Golden Zone (between 18°C and 22°C) but keep an eye on the outside “ambient” temperature and try to minimise the difference from outdoors to indoors – consider notching up the AC a few degrees on a particularly hot day. It will feel cool anyway, use less electricity, and prolong the life of the unit.
10. Adjust curtains/ blinds in winter
This will let the warm sunshine in during the cold winter season.
11. Wear the right clothes
Dress for the temperature before turning on the AC or heater.
12. Unplug unused appliances at the wall
Appliances in 'stand-by' mode consume as much as 50% of the electricity they would normally use.
13. Use the kettle wisely
When using a kettle, boil only as much water as you need.
14. Don’t open the fridge door unnecessarily
Or leave it open for too long. Cold air sinks so it literally falls out of the fridge, and so the fridge has to start again.
15. Let hot food cool down before putting it in the fridge
This way it will require less electricity for further cooling.
16. Make use of new energy efficient appliances
Look for labelling such as the Energy Star rating and always buy an ‘energy smart’ model. It's important to note that newer plasma screen TVs tend to use more electricity than older models and LED TVs.
17. Defrost the freezer regularly
This will ensure it runs more efficiently.
18. Have the seals in the fridge replaced
This will help keep the cold air in.
Trying out any of these tips? Tweet and let us know! @WCGov110Green
Information provided by savingelectricity.org.za