Outside of equipment, your office team can follow many “best practices” to advance toward sustainability. So what are they, and how can you implement these practices well? This blog will explore answers to these questions and more.
Is your company aiming to go green, but having trouble taking tangible action? If this is the case, you’re not alone: sustainability solutions can be hard to implement on a large scale, especially when modern offices are dependent on technology such as computers and screens. Here are some steps that your office can take towards sustainability, from simple “best practices” to long-term solutions.
Think Holistically to Track Your Usage
One of the biggest hurdles to office sustainability is the fact that resource usage can be hard to track, especially when each system operates independently. Thinking of your office space or building as a single ecosystem can start you on the path to a solution. Concentric program design of all utilities, from HVAC to electricity to plumbing to AV technology, helps you gain awareness of the relationship between each individual piece and optimize usage accordingly.
Did you know that LED video walls have an impact on HVAC systems because of the heat they give off? These beautiful displays make all the difference in a conference room, but installation without proper planning can lead to uncomfortably warm meetings. An expert AV technology team will not only work with you from the very beginning to avoid problems such as these, but also implement tracking technology that allows you to monitor how your resources are being used and where there may be room for improvement.
Turn It Off
The simplest solutions are sometimes the least obvious: when your office spaces are not in use, turn off equipment that’s using power. Conference rooms are some of the biggest culprits, as they’re often “ready to go” for the entire workday – or 24/7 – when the room itself is only used for a fraction of that time. By taking the simple action of powering down any devices, turning off screens, and switching the lights off as you leave, you could contribute to saving almost an entire day’s worth of energy consumption. Automation is a key factor in reducing resource usage, especially where electricity is concerned. Let technology help you in your conservation efforts by programming your systems to shut down when not in use.
If you want to implement long-term change, think about installing intelligent systems that can detect room occupancy and keep track of schedules. AV technology systems, lighting, and air temperature can all be turned on and off based on a conference room’s schedule, while occupancy detection technology can even ensure that no power is wasted in the event of a canceled meeting. To take it one step further and make your entire office more eco-friendly, there are options such as daylight sensor modules, which control the brightness of your bulbs based on the amount of daylight in the room. The result of this smart technology is a drastic reduction in electricity costs – lights that are “on” in a room fully lit by the sun might only be using 50% of the energy they usually would.
Stewardship is one of our guiding values at AV-Tech Media Solutions, and this extends to our environmental responsibility. Curious about how we can make your office more sustainable? Reach out to schedule a consultation.
