Top tips for saving
energy at work
- Make maximum use of daylight and switch off any unnecessary
lights.
- Shut your PC down at the end of the working day.
- Send your PC to hibernate/stand by/sleep mode when going to
meetings or lunch.
- Turn your monitor off whenever you aren't using it – a
screensaver uses as much energy as when the machine is being used
normally.
- Think before you print – is a hard copy really necessary?
If you have to print ensure it's duplex (double sided), and
shrink font size where possible to save on paper and energy.
- Print Preview. Always click on print preview before printing to
check your document for typos etc. Avoid having to print twice!
Choose the correct font size for your printing, and use the function
'shrink to fit' to use the paper adequately. Always check on screen
for errors before you print.
- Use the phone or email rather than write and thereby minimise
paper use.
- Unplug charging equipment as soon as the appliance is charged
Dress for the weather – avoid using portable heaters and air
conditioning where possible.
- Ensure equipment in the kitchen is switched off when not in use,
at the plug wherever possible.
- Don't use a kettle if you have access to a hydroboil. If you
only have access to a kettle, ensure to only boil the amount of
water you need.
- Walk: don't take the lift. Lifts use an awful lot of power
moving us up and down. Why not walk up or down the stairs instead -
get fit while saving energy consumption (lose kilos, save joules).
- Turn your lights off - in your room and your department if they
are not needed - eg for safety. Modern lights do not need a lot of
energy to to turn on.The idea that it uses more electricity to turn
lights off/on as against leaving them on is false. Even if you are
leaving your room for 10 minutes it is still worth turning the
lights off.
Back to Managing
Energy Use page
