Office and Workplace Energy Conservation Tips

Computers, Lights and Other Office Equipment

• Customize your computer settings regarding sleep mode and power usage to increase efficiency. 
• Turn off computers, lights, and other equipment when not in use in your individual office- using more efficient power settings can help.  Do not turn off computer and electronics in common places and class rooms - these are programmed to turn off automatically after a certain amount of time.
• Buy ENERGYSTAR qualified computers, printers, faxers, scanners, refrigerators, and other equipment and appliances.
• Use and install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when old bulbs burn out in individual desk lamps.  Contact fixit (fixit.luther.edu) to have ceiling lights replaced.
• Unplug electronics and power strips in your individual office when leaving over the weekend or breaks!
• Buy/request environmentally preferred products through LIS such as recycled paper, Energy Star appliances, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs- your voice and opinion matter!
• Make double-sided copies and minimize printing when possible. 
• Recycle ink cartridges at designated areas- in the document center (Main, lower level) and Olin.  Reusable batteries can be recycles in the reuse center (Valders 374)
• Before purchasing new office equipment, try emailing LC Facilities and LIS to see if they have what you're looking for in storage!  If it's in decent condition, use it!  With a simple email you could save your department (or yourself) money, and keep things like this out of the landfill.

Heating or Cooling Season

• In the winter, keep your heat set to 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your thermostat set to 85 degrees is a waste of energy and money.
• Turn your heat down when you go to sleep and when leaving your room, most people sleep better cold than hot.
• Avoid blocking the radiators with desks and furniture.
• Keep your blinds open during the day to absorb sunlight, and shut the blinds at night to keep the warm air inside.

Waste and Recycling

• Utilize the correct recycling bins for your empty containers, paper, soda cans.  Make noise and request such containers if you're work area doesn't have them already!
• Participate in events such as "Trash for Treasure" to recycle items (work and home-related) that you might otherwise throw away or not use. 
• Initiate the habit of composting undesired food waste, try keeping such material in a container with a lid.

Personal Habits

• Walk or bike to class from off-campus instead of driving, helps keep you healthy too!
• Turn off the water when washing hands.
• Try bringing left-overs from home to reheat rather than leaving campus for lunch.  
• Bring a steel water bottle, mug, etc. to refill rather than purchasing countless plastic bottled waters. 
• Utilize task/sensor lighting.
• Become involved in relevant future activities by voicing opinions to the sustainability council