As global warming and climate change become an increasingly real and growing problem, more effort is needed to reduce energy consumption and waste production in homes and offices around the world. With a few tweaks to your office and home, you can have a positive impact on climate change and help reduce the energy people consume.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Reducing Energy Consumption in the Office
Step 1. Turn off all the lights in the office at the end of the day
To save energy, make sure all lights in the office are turned off, including lights in the bathroom, kitchen, and meeting rooms. It's also a good idea to turn off the lights in the room if you're going to be leaving it for more than a few minutes.
- During the day, you can maximize the natural light from the sun instead of using incandescent bulbs. Turning off incandescent bulbs for one hour a day can save 30 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
- You can also look for areas where there are too many lights or light bulbs in a room that aren't being used. Removing the lights in this room or warning them not to use them during the day will suffice. In addition, you can also persuade your boss to switch to energy efficient lights, such as LED lights, if possible.
Step 2. Adjust the thermostat in your office according to the season
You can save on heating by setting the thermostat in the office to a different temperature in winter and summer. In winter, set the thermostat at 68 degrees or less during the day and 55 degrees at night when no one is in the office. In summer, setting the thermostat at 78 degrees or more will also help reduce energy use in the office.
In winter, it is best to leave the curtains or curtains in the office open during a sunny day. Thus, the room will warm up naturally. It's also a good idea to keep the curtains closed at night to prevent heat dissipating through the windows. In summer, keep the blinds and curtains closed to prevent the room from overheating and when the air conditioner is in use
Step 3. Buy or rent a computer monitor with energy-saving features
Many new computers have energy-saving features that can reduce your office's electricity consumption. If you've been using the same computer for 10 years, consider changing to a newer version that has energy-saving features. In addition to reducing energy consumption, office electricity bills will also be reduced.
- You can also persuade everyone in the office to make sure the computer they are using has a power down option as well as a hibernation option. Keep in mind that screen savers don't save energy. In fact, this feature actually wastes energy because the computer consumes twice the power to turn on the computer screen when using the screen saver.
- Remind everyone in your office to turn off computers, copiers and other electronic equipment when they are finished or not in use. Shutting down the computer will not shorten its useful life and can save a lot of energy.
Step 4. Ask your supervisor to switch to GreenPower
GreenPower is a program offered by some energy suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of a home or office in Australia, the US and Canada. GreenPower suppliers are part of a government-accredited program to use clean and renewable electricity in homes and offices, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Supervisors can contact your office energy company and ask if they can supply GreenPower to reduce day-to-day office energy consumption
Step 5. Get to work by hitchhiking, riding a bicycle, or using public transportation
You can reduce your energy use by adjusting your daily habits. Riding with office colleagues will reduce the amount of energy consumption from gasoline. Cycling to work means you use kinetic energy, not electricity or fuel-based energy to travel.
Public transportation is also great for limiting energy consumption. Unfortunately, there are not many buses in Indonesia that use environmentally friendly fuels
Method 2 of 2: Reducing Energy Consumption at Home
Step 1. Get in the habit of turning off all lights and electronic devices in the house
Apply the “turn off when finished” motto for all computers, televisions, lights, and other electronic devices in your home. You can save electricity bills of up to hundreds of thousands of rupiah and reduce your home's energy consumption.
- It's also a good idea to unplug electronic devices that are rarely used, such as coffee grinders in the kitchen. Also, every time someone finishes using the room, turn off the lights. Make it a habit in all members of the house.
- Consider switching to LED lights. LED lights are reasonably priced and easily available at hardware stores. These light bulbs save up to 85% energy compared to regular light bulbs and are available in a variety of shapes and brightness levels.
- If you have a lot of electronic equipment that requires a power outlet, use a power strip. Power strips can help you control how many devices are plugged in together and you can turn off multiple devices at once using just one button.
Step 2. Put the computer into sleep mode and avoid using screen savers
If you have a computer in your home, it's a good idea to put it to sleep after a few minutes of not using it, and that you have hibernation settings on your computer.
Do not use a screen saver, because this feature wastes energy. Better to sleep or hibernate your computer
Step 3. Use your home appliances effectively
Look for the Energy Star label on equipment such as computers, printers, and scanners, which indicate they are energy efficient. We recommend that you also set up your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, dryer, and washing machine so that they are energy efficient and efficient.
- Set the refrigerator temperature between 3-5 degrees Celsius and the freezer temperature between -17.7 to -15 degrees Celsius. If the refrigerator has a power save button, turn it on and always check that the door is tightly closed before leaving the refrigerator.
- Check that the seal on the oven door is still firmly attached and avoid peeking into the oven more than necessary, as heat will escape and prolong the cooking time. Use the microwave instead of the oven to heat small items.
- Avoid washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and only turn on the dishwasher when it is fully loaded to save water.
- When washing your clothes in the washing machine, wash and rinse your laundry in cold water as often as possible. Using cold water instead of hot water will save up to 50% energy. Washing machines and detergents can now clean clothes although using cold water and hot water should only be used for very soiled clothes. Please use the fastest rotation as this setting wicks away moisture and saves drying time. If possible, buy a front door washing machine as it is more water and energy efficient than a top door washing machine.
- Reduce energy consumption by always cleaning the lint from the dryer filter and drying heavy and light fabrics separately. Airing clothes on a clothesline is actually the most energy efficient way to dry clothes.
Step 4. Make sure there are no cracks or cracks in your house
Cracks and cracks in walls or windows will let cool air out of the room, wasting energy. Seal any cracks or cracks in your home to reduce your electricity bill.
Make sure your windows are open when closed and efficient to save energy, especially if you live in a cold climate
Step 5. Adjust the thermostat based on the outdoor temperature
Save on heating by setting the thermostat to different temperatures in summer and winter. In winter, set the thermostat temperature to 68 degrees or less during the day and 55 degrees at night when no one is home. In summer set the thermostat at 78 degrees or more, also to save energy consumption at home.
