CONTENTS |  | Letter from the Chair | | Principles | | Endorsers | | Practices | | Actions | | The Building | | Transportation | | Meetings & Conferences | | Money Matters | | | | | Use the following parameters to guide your use of office lighting:
Incandescent - 5 minutes (i.e., if you-re going to be back in this room within 5 minutes, don-t turn out the light)
Compact fluorescent - 30 minutes
Regular fluorescent - 15 minutes Computers When buying a new computer, select a machine with the Energy Star logo. This logo indicates that the new computer meets the Environmental Protection Agency-s guidelines for energy efficiency by powering down both the processor and screen to 30 watts or less after a period of inactivity. The time delay is set by the user. When using an Energy Star desktop computer or any laptop computer, be sure to enable the power management features mentioned above when setting up the system. Most machines only require a few seconds to become fully operational after powering down. For existing desktop computers without the power management feature, turn off the monitor if it will be unused for more than ten minutes and turn the processor off if it will be unused for more than a half-hour. top Design One-sixth to one-half of the world-s wood, minerals, water, and energy are dedicated to buildings. Meanwhile, many of our buildings are big energy and resource wasters, when they could be energy and resource conservers. For example, many appliances in buildings draw two to four times as much energy and water as more efficient models. Poor insulation and duct seals result in up to a 30% loss of heating and cooling capacity. Furthermore, quick-to-build structures may neglect long-term costs and health hazards. Energy saving building features include double-glazed window designs, which have an insulation factor six times greater than single pane windows, enabling them to capture more energy than they lose. Windows, skylights, and atriums that capture the maximum amount of natural light, combined with reflective roofing materials, can save up to 40% of a building-s cooling costs. Improved lighting and ventilation make offices more comfortable and workers happier and more productive. Select certified products for building construction and renovations. Programs in certification reduce the negative impacts of commercial forestry by awarding a seal of approval to responsible forest managers. Certification works to ensure that timber harvesting is ecologically sound, and socially and economically beneficial to local communities. It creates market incentives for producers to responsibly manage forests and harvest timber. It gives consumers the power to positively ÒvoteÓ for conservation when they buy certified wood products.top Energy Efficiency As they wear out, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Install reflectors on overhead light fixtures. This maximizes the amount of usable light given off by each bulb so that lower wattage bulbs may be employed to the same effect. Install occupancy sensors to ensure that lights are turned off in rooms that are not being used. If American offices were to implement the three suggestions above, it would reduce the electricity bill of the United States by 11%. Check all appliances and fixtures to make sure that they are set and tuned up to their most efficient level. Plug printers, copiers, and other appliances into a time switch to ensure that they are turned off after working hours. When buying new equipment, take advantage of cleaner and more efficient technologies by choosing, for example, printers and copy machines that create two-sided documents. Consider energy-use information when purchasing, and factor energy costs into the comparative costs of the product. As a result of deregulation, many states now have choices in their energy providers. Contact your local utility or non-profit energy group to find out what your choices are. Ask your local utility company if it offers energy audits. For additional ideas, call Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored program designed to show American businesses the profit of energy conservation.top Heating & Cooling Clean air filters regularly. Reduce heat and air conditioning loss by insulating and weather-stripping doors, windows, inset light fixtures, and vents. Install a time-of-day thermostat to avoid unnecessary operation of the heater and/or air conditioner. Have heating and air conditioning systems checked annually by a qualified engineer. It is estimated that if American workplaces used preventive maintenance techniques on their heating systems, we could save enough energy to heat all the homes in the United States for six weeks a year. Draw shades, curtains, or shutters at night, as they provide additional insulation. Use double paned or storm windows in any new construction. Install a fan-cooling system as an alternative to air conditioning, one of the leading sources of CFC emissions and a major energy consumer. Encourage appropriate dress to reduce heating and air conditioning needs in the office. Set your water heater no higher than 120¡ F, and insulate the entire water heating system, including piping. If the water heater is located outside, paint it black. Local electric companies may offer free energy audits and information on efficient alternatives. Turn off lights and equipment according to the following guide on this page.top Water Conservation Check toilets and faucets for leaks. A single leaky toilet can waste as much as 100 gallons of water per day - that is 36,000 gallons a year. Install low-flow aerators on all faucets, and replace faucet washers if necessary. Install toilet dams to minimize water used per flush or install low-flow toilets which save approximately 3.5 gallons per flush. Use clean wastewater from inside to water plants. Water outdoor vegetation in the early morning or evening to avoid water loss from evaporation. Sweep down outdoor areas rather than using a hose. Landscape with native or drought-tolerant plants. Use mulch or ground-covering plants to prevent excessive evaporation. Avoid grass lawns if possible. If not, be sure to keep grass at least two to three inches high to shade roots. This will encourage longer, healthier roots and provide natural shade for the ground around each plant, which enables it to retain moisture in the soil. Leave grass cuttings on the lawn. Cuttings will serve as a moisture-retentive mulch and natural fertilizertop Other Suggestions Investigate alternative energy sources for your office, such as solar-powered water heating and solar-powered outdoor lighting. Such expenditures may be recouped through lower monthly energy bills. Motivate building managers and owners to invest in energy conservation by presenting them with evidence of the cost effectiveness of such investments. Design new buildings with passive solar architecture and appropriate landscaping to reduce energy expenditures for the entire life of the building. |
