Creating a Green Workplace

Computers, networking and internet have certainly changed our lives and they way we work. In the 21^st century 99% of the offices have all the above mentioned three great inventions. Every office uses computers networked to each other and also connected to the internet. Every office uses one or more servers for e-mails, hosting websites, FTPs, backups, storage the list goes on and on. No office can function without these boons of technology. Even my office has all these and it helps us function better. But these inventions are destroying our environment.

So what can we do, so that our environment is not harmed from the energy that our offices consume. The office complexes use a lot of energy there by increasing the energy consumption, which is directly proportional to the burning of fossil fuels (coal). So does that mean, our earth has to die in the hands of technology? Certainly not.

The wise usage of electricity in offices can certainly reduce the green house effect and global warming, hence saving our earth. While there are lots of ways to reduce the power consumption at offices, I will explain on how we have successfully achieved this.

1. Lighting: Lighting is a major aspect in every office. No office can function without lighting. Hence we should find a way to reduce the power consumption at offices. Instead of traditional tube lights and other bulbs, we should use CFL bulbs. The CFL bulbs give us good lighting and also consume very less electricity and also last longer. Though CFL bulbs are a bit expensive, they are cheaper in the long run.

2. Switching off Computers: A lot employees have a bad habit of locking their computers while leaving for the day. Instead they should save all their programs and turn off their computers and leave. This will also reduce the power consumed by the computers and also increase their performance.

3. Severs: Servers are the machines that should run 24X7 and we cannot turn them off. But we can reduce the power consumption in the server rooms, by switching off the lights in the server room, maintaining the right temperature inside the server room, by not allowing them to over-heat and over-cool. The UPS should also be inspected at particular intervals and replaced when necessary.

4. Air-conditions: The air-conditions in the office, should be cleaned regularly, which will improve the cooling and also reduce the power consumption. The Air-conditions should be kept at the correct temperature. Air-conditions with the star rating will greatly help in reducing the power consumption.

If all the above points are taken care of while running an office, we can greatly reduce the power consumed, there by it is a win win situation for us. Reduced electricity bill and reduced global warming.