Improve energy efficiency

- Buildings have become innovative spaces to reduce our water, energy, and our overall ecological impact. Rather than being a source or cause of increasing carbon footprints and degeneration, buildings are starting to do more good for the environment, and human well-being. And you can help move that movement forward. One way we can reduce our carbon footprints is by improving energy efficiency. What does that mean? Well, it means using the smallest amount of energy possible to power our lives. A great place to start improving energy efficiency at work and at home is with an energy audit. Energy audits might be offered through your energy company, and they can help you understand the whole picture of energy use in your space. The audit will help determine how much energy your space uses, where your space is losing energy, and which problem areas and fixes you can prioritize to make your space more efficient and comfortable. Are you always turning on your space heater under your desk because there's an uncomfortable draft nearby? An energy audit will help you figure out how to approach the root of the problem, so that you can use less energy and be more comfortable at work. Speaking about being comfortable, in large workspaces, it can be difficult to regulate the indoor air temperature. And many of our heating and cooling systems are outdated and inefficient. So rather than cranking up the heat one minute, only to have to lower it the next minute, keep a light jacket at work for those days when the air temperature is a bit chilly. Turning the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer can go a long way towards reducing the amount of energy used in your spaces. And supporting appliance upgrades is a great way to improve the entire system. The Energy Star logo or the global equivalent is a great place to start if you're looking for energy efficient products for your spaces. Another place we can be more efficient with our energy use is through our lighting choices. Efficient LEDs use roughly 75% less energy, and last far longer than Incandescents. There are all kinds of LEDs now, so if you haven't found the right one yet for your home or your office, visit a local hardware store to compare the look and feel of different brands. And if you have the option, opt for natural lighting. At my workplace, we have shades that allow us to let in natural light, giving us great views and reducing our need to turn on the lights. Let's move onto water. When we waste water, we're not just wasting water. If the water's hot, we are wasting the energy that went into heating the water. In our homes and workplaces, we can ensure that we reduce our need for hot water and use water heaters that are energy efficient, and set at the proper temperature. There are loads of ways that we can improve our energy efficiency at work and home. As you go about your day today, I invite you to find one way that you can use less energy. Maybe it's adjusting the thermostat, using natural lighting, or asking your sustainability team how you can support their energy saving initiatives. Let's get creative.