Computers and other electronic equipment use electricity around the clock, even when not in use. Encourage employees to turn off all office equipment after hours and on weekends. Turn off lights, computers, monitors, printers and copiers at the end of each working day and ensure they’re not just in sleep mode.
Help reduce phantom loads by plugging office equipment into power strips. This makes it easier to turn them all off when not in use. Better yet, purchase a smart power strip, which senses when a product is not in use and eliminates its standby power consumption.
Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Your monitor uses almost full power when the screen saver appears. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.
Use plug-in timers to automatically turn printers, copiers, and fax machines off at the power source.
Flow-generating equipment like fans, pumps and compressors are often used without speed control. Because HVAC systems rarely require maximum flow, a system operating without speed control wastes significant energy over most of its operating time. Using Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) to control the motor speed can provide significant energy savings.
Heat loss resulting from loose or corroded electrical connections can also mean reduced operating efficiency and corresponding increased energy costs. These conditions can lead to a breakdown, failure, or even cause a fire. An infrared survey of the entire electrical system should be performed at least every three years.