Solar Panels

The office might be one of the major users of energy in the home. Here are a few simple tips to help you be energy efficient in the office.

#1 Plug everything in the office into a power strip.

Computers, printers, recharging stations, radios or televisions and even your light fixtures can be connected to power strips. At the conclusion of each day or each working session, turn off your various electronics but also turn off the power strip.

This can conserve a tremendous amount of energy because many electronics continue to use energy even when they’ve been powered down. Switching off the power strip eliminates energy consumption when electronics are not in use. And only turning on the item when you need to use it will save you power also.

Additionally, many power strips are surge protectors, that provides the electronics protection from powerful electrical surges which is often caused by lightening and other factors.

#2 Passive Solar & Wind Power

Passive solar is the practice of using the sun’s energy passively For example, you can utilize the sun’s energy to heat the office in winter time by opening the drapes and letting the sun’s rays warm the office. In the summer you’d want to close the drapes to help your office stay cool.

The wind’s power can also be used to cool the office in the summertime by producing cross breezes. Open windows on opposing sides of the office to produce a path for the air current to flow. As the air passes through your office it can help it stay cool.

Fans are also a great help although they generally run on electricity, they are more cost effective cooling methods than air conditioning which could cost more than $500 a summer.

#3 Active Solar

There are numerous office products on the market today that use solar cells to maximize the sun’s energy. You can purchase laptop bags with solar cells to power your laptop. You can buy solar recharging stations and recharge all your electronics. You can even purchase solar powered electronics.

Lastly, organizing your office for maximum ventilation will help it stay cool in the summertime. For those who have boxes piled and furnishings sitting over vents there won’t be any way for the cool air to flow into in your office. Clean house and reduce clutter for optimum energy savings.

There are many ways to be more energy efficient in your office. Use the power of the sun and the wind for heating and cooling and be smart about turning off and on your electronics whenever you will need them. Use only as much as you’ll need.

Looking to find the best solar energy information, then visit www.solar-energy-information.org to learn the facts about solar energy.