Going green at the office takes planning and strategizing. Your organization will need to take a look at its current operations and then find ways to implement green initiatives amongst them. These initiatives will be designed to positively affect the environment, but as an added bonus can save your company money. One effective and easily implemented green initiative that cannot be overlooked is the use of ENERGY STAR certified office equipment.

ENERGY STAR is an international standard for energy-efficient consumer products, created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR certified products generally use 20 to 30 percent less energy than required by federal standards.

Why does ENERGY STAR matter?
First, there’s the direct cost savings your business will realize by utilizing ENERGY STAR certified devices. Using energy-efficient equipment will cut down on your electricity bill through the consumption of less power. Electricity may be a cost you don’t think about on a daily basis, but the use of ENERGY STAR equipment is a simple solution to help you find savings around the office.
According to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy, “office equipment is the fastest growing use of electricity in commercial buildings in the United States.” This finding emphasizes how important it is to analyze your equipment fleet to ensure you have the most environmentally friendly devices in place.

Valuing our environment
It’s essential to consider our environment when we make business decisions. There is a corporate responsibility attached to the operations of all businesses big and small. This responsibility includes education and awareness within the company. When it comes to office equipment, informing employees to shut down their computers and other devices at the end of the day is an example of a simple initiative that all businesses can carry out. U.S. companies spend 2.8 billion dollars a year on energy wasted from computers being left on overnight. Communicating a simple change like this with your employees will go a long way when it comes to reducing this type of energy usage. Fortunately, with the use of ENERGY STAR equipment, these devices are designed to automatically go into sleep mode after periods of downtime. Many of them can be customized to your specifications.

For more information on ENERGY STAR products and how they can be incorporated into your office, contact Golden Gate Office Solutions today.