Energy Saving Tips : Office Equipment

• Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified products for your small business. The ENERGY STAR mark indicates the most efficient computers, printers, copiers, refrigerators, televisions, windows, thermostats, ceiling fans, and other appliances and equipment.
• Turning off machines when they are not in use can result in enormous energy savings.
  
• To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically); the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter.
  
• Common misconceptions sometimes account for the failure to turn off equipment. Many people believe that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. This incorrect perception carries over from the days of older mainframe computers.
  
• There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.
  
• $ Long-Term Savings Tip: Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; they use much less energy than desktop computers.
• Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
• Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
• Studies have shown that using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and PDAs is more cost effective than throwaway batteries. If you must use throwaways, check with your trash removal company about safe disposal options.

Home Based Business Tips

Save on Home Energy Costs

• Setting up a Home Office
  Learn how to make environmentally responsible choices
• Home Office Tips : Lower Your Operating Costs
  From the Alliance to Save Energy
• Energy Savers
  Tips for saving energy and money at home

Product Information

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products

• Computers
• Copier and Fax Machines
• Digital Duplicators
• External Power Adapters
• Notebook Computers/Tablet PCs
• Mailing Machines
• Monitors
• Printer, Scanners, and All-in-Ones
• Water Coolers

Produced in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Business Gateway and ENERGY STAR®