Getty Images \ Toby Burrows
READ MORE ABOUT:
Green Work: Getting Techie
Hidden Power Usage
We turn off our computers at night, so why are our power bills still so high? Many appliances have "standby" settings that draw power—sometimes as much as 15 or 20 watts—even when they're turned off. A 2002 report found that: "Lopomo [low power mode] energy use is responsible for about 10% of total electricity use in California homes." To make sure that computers, monitors, printers, photocopy machines, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, and microwave ovens are all the way off, pull the plug rather than flipping the switch on the machine. Also make sure any climate control systems are turned off when they aren't needed and set to energy-efficient modes when in use. You might be surprised by how much energy this saves.
Toxic Indoor Air
It is not uncommon for interior air to be more contaminated with toxic chemicals than the air outdoors. Furniture (especially particle board), carpeting, and paint are common sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a family of chemicals that are frequently "offgassed." VOCs have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Especially if your office is well-insulated (which it should be for energy purposes) toxins can’t get out easily. Greenguard is a non-profit certifier of products that help maintain healthy interior air. Herman Miller, Haworth, Knoll, Keilhauer, and Izzydesign all offer Greenguard certified furniture options.
Furniture Wood Certification
The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Rainforest Alliance both certify wood that has come from sustainably harvested forests or is reclaimed. When your office is looking for new desks, bookshelves, dividers, etc., try to find sustainable wood products that do not contain formaldehyde or other harmful VOCs.
-
- {}
