Efficiency tips

Did you know?

• A desktop computer used for eight hours per day releases over 600 kilograms of greenhouse gas to the environment each year
• Laptop computers are much more energy efficient only using 15-25 watts when fully on. By purchasing an energy efficient laptop and operating it wisely you can reduce your energy use by 98-99%
• Energy star energy management software is probably already available on your computer that can switch it off when you are not using it and shut it down at night
• When the computer is switched back on, some software provides the user with positive feedback on the amount of energy, dollars and greenhouse emissions that has been saved.

Energy tips

• If you are going to be away from your desk for over half an hour switch off the monitor
• Switch computers and monitors off outside working hours
• Screen savers are energy wasters. They use as much energy as a full screen of work does and in addition to this may use considerable ‘processing’ energy as well
• Consider buying a laptop, they are much more energy and material efficient than a desktop c omputer and monitor  
• LCD-type flat screens are much more energy and space efficient than standard monitors
• If you have to leave the computer on overnight for after-hours backup, turn off the monitor and you can reduce power consumption by up to 50%
• If a computer is being used as a server, switch off the monitor if it is not required
  Reduce the margin settings and type size on your computer to fit more on each sheet of printed paper. By decreasing the default settings you can increase the amount of information that you can fit on a page by up to 30% and save paper
•  Think twice before printing all documents, especially drafts and emails
• Consider using floppy, zip and compact disks rather than paper filing systems 
• Optimise the use of electronic communication such as email, forms and transactions to save the financial and environmental costs associated with the manufacture and supply of paper
• Find the shortest convenient power management time setting that suits you.

Did you know?

• Ink jet printers generally use much less energy per page than laser printers. As a result of the Energy Star program more efficient laser printers are being developed that can rival the better inkjet printers in sleep mode - however, still use more energy while printing.
• Paper is the biggest cost associated with a printer and has the greatest environmental impact. Strategies to reduce the number of printed copies that you make include:
  • Use circulation lists and notice boards rather than printing a copy for everyone
  • Use email wherever possible and read on screen
  • Store information on floppy, zip and compact disks rather than a paper filing system
• The process used to manufacture recycled paper can use up to 90% less water and 50% less energy than making it from new trees.

Energy tips

• Purchase printers with a double sided printing option to halve your paper costs
• Ensure the printer has 'draft' or 'econosave' modes that save ink and toner
• Fill the third paper bin with paper that is already printed on one side and use it for drafts and internal documents
• If you select a small volume printer that doesn't have the ability to print on both sides make sure that odd and even pages can be printed separately
• Think about whether you really need a printed copy
• Turn off the printer at the end of the working day
• Use the ‘Print Preview’ function to check layout and style before printing
• Reduce the margin settings and type size on your computer to fit more on each sheet of printed paper. By decreasing the default settings you can increase the amount of information that you can fit on a page by up to 30% and save paper
• Recycle or refill toner and ink cartridges
• Set sleep mode default times to the lowest setting that suits your needs
• Use paper with the highest recycled content specified for your printer by the manufacturer or supplier.

Did you know?

• Fluorescent lights generate only 1/5 as much greenhouse gas as ordinary globes, yet still produce the same amount of light.
• Case Study: A state of the art office lighting system Installed at our Adelaide office. This project has reduced energy consumption by 38% and is now saving $40,000 and 344 tonnes of Greenhouse gas emissions per year. Features include:
  • Detectors to control the light output and to switch the lights on or off when movement is detected
  • General office and work area lighting operates without the need for manual wall type switching
  • Lighting was zoned into blocks and able to operate as an individual unit or a total system
  • Compliance with Australian standard 1680 (Interior Lighting)
• Lighting technologies have improved substantially over the last 10 years, so now may be a good time to review your installation. Contact us to find out how.

Energy tips

• You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30-80% by fitting lower wattage globes around the office. Do this in conjunction with a lighting professional to ensure illumination levels at least comply with minimum requirements
• Install daylight or movement sensors and timer controls that switch off lights automatically when not needed
• Replace standard lights with compact fluorescent lights
• Ensure that lights are not left on in conference and store rooms when not in use
• Use desk lamps or standard lamps in areas where most light is needed so less lighting is required for the whole room
• Do not purchase light fittings with coloured glass. They reduce light output by half and require higher wattage lamps
• It may be possible to install high efficiency reflectors and remove one or more tubes from each fitting - especially along corridors where illumination requirements are less than offices
• Regular cleaning of reflectors boosts illumination output
• With electronic ballasts, the output of the light can be dimmed automatically to meet the room needs - very handy for offices on the sunny side of the building
• When looking for new lighting, specify electronic ballasts and new technology tri-phosphor energy saver lamps. Not only will people be more comfortable (flicker is eliminated), costs will be reduced from lower energy consumption and longer lamp life.

Did you know?

• Don’t over cool the office - 1°C difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors can add 3% to your air conditioning bill and increase greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount
• People, equipment and lights all generate extra heat in an office environment. This adds quite significantly to the load the cooling cycle of air conditioning has to deal with
• If you choose energy efficient equipment for air conditioning and heating, you can achieve bonus savings of up to 30% in energy costs and greenhouse gases
• We offer GeoExchange, which is a reverse-cycle heating and cooling system that harnesses renewable energy stored in the ground to provide highly efficient heating and cooling for commercial buildings, workplaces and homes. For more information visit Nabers 

Energy tips

• The temperature of a cooled room in summer should be about 24°C
• Place the air conditioner on the shady side of the building ensuring that air flow around it isn't obstructed
• Widen the range of thermostat settings in areas that do not require full comfort heating (e.g. corridors and store rooms)
• Use a time switch to make sure your air conditioner does not operate on weekends and public holidays
• Keep all windows and doors closed when using refrigerative air conditioners, evaporative coolers require air flow
• Most heat is gained through the windows. Keep curtains and outdoor shadings closed in summer
• Arrange for regular servicing of your air conditioning system
• Choose energy efficient equipment for air conditioning and heating to achieve bonus savings of 20-30% in energy costs and greenhouse gases
• Main tain the temperature of a heated room in winter at 21°C
• Keep windows and doors closed while heating is on
• Close curtains on cold winter nights to keep the heat in
• Turning down the heating can increase comfort and save money
• Arrange for regular services of your heating system

Did you know?

• Fax machines are often left on all the time. As they are mostly inactive, it is important to choose one with a low standby energy rating
• Scanners are now one of the fastest growing segments of the office equipment market. However they are only used occasionally in most offices. Only turn your scanner on when you are planning to use it
• Thermal paper can cost about 2½ times more than plain paper. It also contains higher embodied energy and more chemicals than plain paper and may not be accepted in office paper recycling schemes. Using a 100 metre roll of thermal paper a week could cost more than $3,000 over 5 years; reusing plain paper over the same period could cost only $400.

Energy tips

• Reduce your paper and copying costs with an Energy Star compliant fax machine that can scan double sided pages
• Use plain paper rather than thermal paper for fax machines
• Do not print individual transmission or status reports. Set the fax machine to only print when the fax did not transmit
• Before sending a fax, think about communicating using email instead
• Select a fax machine with 'draft' and 'econosave' modes
• If you have more than one fax machine in the office, divert calls to a few units after hours and turn the rest off at the power point
• Set sleep mode default times to the lowest setting to suit your needs
• Recycle or refill toner and ink cartridges
• Fill the paper tray with paper that is already printed on one side
• Minimise the use of full page fax cover sheets by using stick on labels or rubber stamps on the first page of the fax message and write in the name of the recipient, the date and the number of pages being sent. Not only will this reduce paper consumption it will also reduce energy transmitting the fax and STD telephone charges

Did you know?

• A $4000 photocopier that is left on continuously for 7 years can consume approximately $1,500 of electricity, $24,000 of paper, $15,000 of toner and may release over 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide into our environment.
• If you purchase an energy efficient photocopier that takes recycled paper and refilled toner cartridges, can copy double-sided, has a powersave function and you recycle paper in the office, over its seven year life you may:
  • Save up to 80% on your energy bill
  • Reduce your paper and toner bills by 50%
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75%
  • Save 50 trees
  • Involve your staff
  • Enhance your company's profits.
• The photocopying process that uses the majority of energy is the heating of the components that fuse toner to paper.

Energy tips

• When purchasing a photocopier choose one that is the right size for your office needs. A medium sized photocopier in a small office can use 70% more energy per page than a small photocopier
• Printing double sided can halve your paper costs
• Use recycled paper with at least 20% post consumer recycled content
• Recycled toner cartridges reduce the flow of solid waste that ends up in the nation's landfills
• Make sure that the photocopier you purchase has an "energy save" button as well as programmable power management features
• Select a copier with a seven day clock so that you can program it to turn off at the end of each day and on weekends
• Turn the photocopier off at the power point at the end of each day
• Choose a photocopier with the capacity to reduce from A3 to A4 and use this feature wherever possible
• Consider a second paper bin to feed paper that is already printed on one side
• When making several copies run them in batches to reduce energy consumption by decreasing the time the copier spends in high-power mode
• Purchase recycled paper as the process used to manufacture it can use up to 90% less water and 50% less energy than making it from trees.

• Energy star equipment can dramatically reduce the financial and environmental costs of electricity by reducing your energy use
• Energy star ratings apply to personal computers, monitors, photocopiers, printers, fax machines, scanners and multifunction devices (anything that can print, fax and scan as well as copy).
• The presence of an Energy star logo on equipment you are purchasing is a must, however you should also pay attention to the actual power rating in different operating modes, and shop around for the most energy efficient equipment
• Specify the requirement of Energy star compliant office equipment in purchasing policies and procurement contracts
• Compare the power ratings in operating, low power, sleep and off modes so that you can select the most energy efficient equipment
• Choose equipment that returns to operating mode quickly after being switched on or woken up.

• Energy star 
• Energy star office calculator 

• In Australia commercial buildings spend over $4 billion on energy alone each year.
• The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating scheme can assist owners and tenants achieve savings of 20-40% on their energy bill and reduce greenhouse emissions.
• The ABGR scheme is a national program that benchmarks commercial office buildings greenhouse impact on a scale of 1- 5. The more stars your building or tenancy receives, the better its greenhouse performance. A 3 star rating represents current best market practice.
• Building owners/managers, tenants or developers can use this scheme to demonstrate their superior greenhouse performance and environmental awareness to their employees, clients, suppliers, investors, business partners and government agencies.
• To assess the greenhouse performance of your building or tenancy at no cost you can use the online performance rating calculator . You will need to know 12 months of energy consumption (from bills) and some other details such as the number of people, number of computers, net lettable area and the hours of occupancy.