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Energy

Tips At Work

ENERGY TIPS AT WORK

Quick & Simple

Help save energy in your workplace, save money for your company and help save Hawaii, by practicing these tips:

Buy ENERGY STAR®
Office equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR uses special power management features to help eliminate wasted energy. When not in use, ENERGY STAR-qualified office products automatically go to a low-power "sleep" mode, using about half the electricity of standard equipment. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when replacing desktop computers, laptops, printers, fax machines, copiers, scanners, lighting, air conditioners and telephones. The ENERGY STAR designation means the product has met strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. DOE and EPA.

Keep your cool
Save those air conditioning dollars.

Keep cool air in by closing doors and windows when the air conditioner is on. Plug leaks by installing weather-stripping between moving parts (such as doors and their frames) and caulking between nonmoving parts (such as window frames and walls). Have office air conditioners professionally assessed and maintained regularly to be sure the current system is properly sized and operating at peak efficiency.
Strategically position blinds and drapes to block the warm sun and keep the office cooler.
Set the thermostat at the warmest comfortable setting.
Avoid using space heaters that force air conditioners to work harder.
If possible, turn off the A/C at the end of the work day.

Sufficient and efficient lighting

For desk lamps and decorative lighting, install energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which typically use 75% less energy for the same amount of light and last 10 times longer than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.
Turn off lights in unoccupied offices, conference rooms, break rooms and bathrooms. Using timers or occupancy sensors in restrooms and conference rooms also reduces the time lights are on in little used places.
Use abundant free sunlight where possible.
Dust light bulbs and fixtures regularly for consistently bright light.

Put your computers to sleep
Computers and monitors save energy only when power management features are activated, so make sure they are on in your computer. Screen savers do not reduce energy use by monitors, as some believe. Automatic sleep mode or just turning monitors off is a better energy-saving strategy. At the office, check with your IT specialist for any network requirements.

Eliminate energy sneakers
Battery chargers for mobile phones, PDAs, and camcorders draw electricity even when not in use or when batteries are fully charged. Unplug these “energy sneakers” when not charging. Turn off and unplug coffee makers, microwaves and toaster ovens when not in use. A power strip can also conveniently cut power to from hard-to-reach plugs.

Here’s a really cool idea
If you work (or live) downtown or in Waikiki, encourage your building owner and manager to consider Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning. This is a proposed system that would use cold deep sea water to cool buildings through district cooling systems such as is used in many other parts of the world. Air conditioning is a major use of power and getting our cooling from the ocean instead of electricity would decrease our use of imported oil and decrease our greenhouse gas emissions. It will likely be less expensive over the long run. Check Honolulu Sea Water Air Conditioning, LLC to learn more.

Buy recycled paper products
It takes 70 to 90 percent less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide.

Start an employee energy conservation campaign
If you would like someone from Hawaiian Electric to speak to your employees, home-owners association or board meeting about energy efficiency in the workplace and at home, call Education & Consumer Affairs at 543-7511.

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Energy$olutions for Business

Hawaiian Electric’s Energy$olutions for Business program is designed to help you better manage your energy costs. Companies that install qualified energy efficiencies and technologies for renovation, equipment replacement or new construction projects can receive rebates which help to offset the up-front costs of installing the equipment. To learn more about the program and the various energy-saving technologies that are appropriate for your business, call 94-POWER (947-6937) or click on Energy$olutions for tips on getting started.

Commercial firms are also available to do energy audits in work places. One such local firm is Energy Industries.

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