Sustainability
Energy
Heating and cooling accounts for 48% of a building’s energy use. Strategies to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the HVAC system include:
- Close blinds to keep the summer sun out.
- Open blinds to let the winter sun in.
- Do not use portable electric heaters.
Lighting consumes 17% of the energy used in an office building. Strategies to control the amount of energy consumed by lighting include:
- Take advantage of natural day light.
- Reduce ambient lighting and use task lighting.
- Turn off all lights that are not being used.
- Install occupancy sensors in conference rooms, break rooms and offices.
Plug Loads, items that are plugged into outlets, consume approximately 15% of a commercial building’s direct electrical load, as well as, tend to increase the internal heat load, thereby increasing cooling costs as well.
The strategies below provide simple changes that can cut costs and save energy in your office.
- Use power strips with built in occupancy sensors.
- Optimize the energy settings on computers and other electronic devices.
- Unplug printers, scanners and copiers that are only used occasionally.
- Turn off any audio/visual equipment that is not being used.
- Consider buying laptops and use LCD flat screen monitors.
- Purchase ENERGY STAR Certified appliances and electronics.
Materials
Businesses can reduce their environmental impact by selecting products made from recycled materials, practicing waste reduction strategies, and reusing or recycling consumable goods. Studies show businesses that reduce waste are regarded more favorably by customers, the public, and their own employees, and motivate others to do the same.
Implement a Waste-Management and/or Recycling plan:
- Set copiers and printers to print on both sides by default.
- Use mugs, glasses, and silverware to reduce the use of paper and plastic products.
- Bring lunch in a reusable container.
- Combine co-worker lunch orders to minimize waste of individual take out packaging.
- Purchase recycled materials such as recycled paper and file folders.
- Keep digital files and/or implement a paperless workflow strategy.
- Invest in rechargeable batteries.
Water
Approximately 400 billion gallons of water are used in the United States per day with less than 1% of the treated water produced by water utilities actually being consumed. The rest goes on lawns, in washing machines, and down toilets and drains.
Water can be conserved through small behavioral and operational changes such as:
- Report leaks to property management
- Only run the dishwasher when it is full
- Use water conserving ice makers
- Install a filtration device to purify tap water
Waste
Sapling GroveĀ appreciates our tenant’s partnership in our waste reduction and diversion program.
Most AW Property Co. properties have re-cycling containers in the loading dock to accommodate cardboard generated in the building.
Sapling Grove property teams can provide resources for tenants requesting E-Waste and furniture removal for donation.