Conserving Energy In the Workplace

There are many ways to save power in the workplace, such as:

1. Enhance employee awareness of energy efficiency through training and communication. Provide mandatory and voluntary training opportunities on smart energy practices so that employees can practice energy efficiency during emergency periods and year-round. Send periodic e-mail messages to employees about turning off lights and computers and implementing other efficiency practices; post signs near light switches or communal printers.  Hold an annual energy fairs (prior to summer peak period) to provide information to employees about how to manage energy use in the work place and at home.
2. Implement long-term energy efficiency improvements in lighting and HVAC systems for both cold- and hot-weather conditions. These will pay for themselves due to lowered utility costs, and will provide a net cost savings thereafter! If energy costs rise, these energy and conservation measures will pay for themselves even more quickly.
3. Schedule high electrical energy-use processes during off-peak periods (peak periods are afternoon to early evening hours).

4. Set air conditioning thermostats to pre-cool spaces at off-peak times (peak periods are afternoon to early evening hours).

5. Turn off lights when leaving an area for more than a few minutes.
6. In areas with sufficient day lighting, turn off electric lights. Adjust blinds, if available, to reduce glare.
7. Install motion sensors and separate lighting circuits to allow turning off unneeded lights.
8. Use task lighting and turn off general lighting, where it is feasible to maintain sufficient lighting levels for safety and productivity.
9. Turn off computers, monitors and printers when not in use.
10. Ensure ENERGY STAR-type "low power stand-by" and power saver features are activated on computers, monitors, printers, and copiers.
11. Turn off personal appliances, such as coffee pots and radios.

12. Remind and encourage employees to reduce electrical loads in their homes, too, to reduce demand on the utility system.

During times of maximum demand, conserving energy in the workplace is key to preventing blackouts. It is especially important to reduce peak loads during the afternoon to early evening hours. Here are a few simple steps to prepare for a potential blackout: 

1. Establish a system to alert employees of expected high demand days including, but not limited to E-mail, voice mail, or public address announcement to all employees. Communicate early to allow employees to take load reduction measures at home.
2. Initiate load reduction measures for "Stage 2" and "Stage 3" alerts. Employees can take steps to reduce lighting, personal computers and appliances electricity use. While energy efficiency should be encouraged on a daily basis, stress the need for increased diligence to alleviate the emergency.
3. If a "Stage 3" alert is imminent, back up your computer and don't forget to frequently save what you are working on, to be ready if the power goes off.

For additional information see:

Flex Your Power: Commerical & Small Business

Flex you Power: Industry

PG&E Energy Management for Businesses