The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers the following checklist to help agencies conserve energy at the office.
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- 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.
Find manufacturer-supplied standby power data for three types of computers.