Are you trying to make your office more eco-friendly? That’s great! There are many ways to incorporate green living into your workday. Implementing recycling programs, choosing recycled paper products, and encouraging carpooling are a few great ways to go green. Lighting is another area where you can incorporate green, eco-friendly policies and equipment. If you’re going green at the office, you may want to take a look at your lights and lighting policies.
Here are some tips:
Incorporate A Lighting Policy
Make it a policy to keep lights off in rooms that are not being used. Many people simply forget to turn the lights out when they leave a room, so keep it in the front of people’s thoughts by incorporating friendly reminders into newsletters, sending out occasional ‘green’ memos, and putting signs on the doors of rooms most likely to be lit when not in use.
Use Dimmers, Sensors and Timers
Dimmer switches, motion sensors, and timers, when used correctly, can really cut down on wasted energy by streamlining your energy use. Use timers or motion sensors to activate lights when needed, such as at the beginning of the workday. Dimmers in halls, especially when used in conjunction with natural light, can also save energy.
Choose The Right Lights
LED lighting is not only better for the environment; it’s better for your bottom line as well. Using LED lights can, over time, save thousands of dollars, and cut back on the amount of waste your office produces. If you’re still using fluorescent lighting, consider making the change to LED lights.
Use Light Colors
If you’re designing, or redesigning your office, stick with lighter tones when choosing paint, cubicles, and shelving. These will reflect light. Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb more light, so you’ll need to use more light to keep your workspace bright.
Blinds
Open blinds during the day to make the most of natural light. At night, closing blinds will reduce the amount of light needed to illuminate a room.
