Office Energy Checklist

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers the following checklist to help agencies conserve energy at the office.

• Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for desk lamps and overhead lighting.
• Use dimmers, motion sensors, or occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lighting when not in use to reduce energy use and costs.
• Turn off lights when you leave at night. Use natural lighting or daylighting. When feasible, turn off lights near windows.
• Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it, to directly illuminate work areas.
• Procure energy-efficient products and energy-saving technologies for the office.
• Close or adjust window blinds to block direct sunlight to reduce cooling needs during warm months. Overhangs or exterior window covers are most effective to block sunlight on south-facing windows.
• In the winter months, open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your workspace. At night, close the blinds to reduce heat loss.
• Unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use (i.e. cell phone chargers, fans, coffeemakers, desktop printers, radios, etc.).
• Replace desktop computers with thin clients or notebook computers and docking stations.
• Use LED or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors.
• Turn off your computer and monitors at the end of the work day, if possible. If you leave your desk for an extended time, turn off your monitor.
• Use copiers with a low standby feature. Purchase printers and fax machines with power management feature and use it.
• Coordinate with vending machine vendor to turn off advertising lights.
• Perform an energy audit. Check with your utility company for names of auditors.
• Install programmable thermostats.
• Check furnace ducts for disconnects or leaks. Ensure ductwork is well insulated.
• Insulate water heater, hot water piping, and tanks to reduce heat loss.
• Install low-flow toilets, urinals, faucets and shower heads.
• Verify the energy management system switches into setback mode during unoccupied hours.
• Install meters to track energy use.