How to Conserve Energy in your Office

Lindsay Smith: I’m here with Christy from BC Hydro. Today, we’re going to talk about some technology power smart tips that you can use in your office related to technology. Thank you for coming on the show Christy. Christy Gate: Thank you for having me. Lindsay Smith: So, tell me a little bit more about your role at Power Smart. Christy Gate: Sure, I’m a Power Smart representative, so you could see us anywhere. We could be in your community, at a simple community festival or even been to gym places and just basically telling people about conservation. Lindsay Smith: So, I have this question come up from companies from time to time and they are saying, “You know what kind of computers should we invest in and does not actually make a difference in terms of going green?” So, would you recommend a laptop computer or a desktop computer for people out there buying? Christy Gate: A laptop definitely would be always the first choice. I mean, it’s mobile it’s going to be easier to take with you in places, but on top of that it’s going to use up to 50% less electricity than a standard desktop unit so. Lindsay Smith: Wow! That’s a significant amount. Christy Gate: It’s quite a bit, yeah. Lindsay Smith: And what kind of other devices around the office should people or companies be investing in, in order to conserve energy? Christy Gate: A photocopier, looking for Energy star photocopiers. Look for an all in one machine especially if you are a small business because that’s going to —you’ll have one device plugged in and it will be all compact in your limits standby power loss. Lindsay Smith: Right, it’s supposed to having like a fax, printer or a fax machine, a printer, a scanner. You can get them all in one. Christy Gate: Yeah. Lindsay Smith: Okay, so heating in office seems to be a huge concern or huge place where you can of lose energy and spend a lot of money, so what would you recommend for businesses there? Christy Gate: Well, here in the Maine I know a lot of us still have gas heat, but there are still places where you have base boards and stuff. This is a programmable thermostat right here, a digital one. So, what it does is it maintains a more consistent heat unlike heat flow. It’s kind of like cruise control for your furnace, as opposed to a manual one that can fluctuate about two degrees on either side. You can program it, turn off when you leave to go down to maybe 16 degrees and it will actually turn back on before you get to the office back up to your comfortable setting. Lindsay Smith: And I guess that means that people don’t have to remember, all on their own. Christy Gate: Yeah. Lindsay Smith: Yeah. I know that would be a lifesaver for me. So, I see that this thermostat actually has a Energy star logo on it, can you tell me a little bit this Energy star program? Christy Gate: Right, it is actually a voluntary program. So companies will choose to send products to get tested and then when they come back with the label, it basically lets consumers know. It has been tested and it’s ranked among the top percentage of energy efficient products in their class and category, with similar products. Lindsay Smith: So, well what kind technology devices in the office would carry this type of Energy Star symbol? Christy Gate: You’d see them on a computer monitor, a laptop of course, your tower for your computer, light bulbs and then I mean, if you have a kitchenette, on the fridge. Lindsay Smith: Okay. Christy Gate: And that kind of stuff. Lindsay Smith: And so would you recommend that when you’re out there buying products for your office that you always look for that, for the Energy Star symbol? Christy Gate: It’s definitely a good start. Lindsay Smith: Okay. Christy Gate: Yeah, because it is easy to see and you know, you can trust it. The company is taking the time to get it tested. Lindsay Smith: You’ve got something it’s called the kilowatt reader something beside you here. Christy Gate: Yes. Lindsay Smith: So, what that does do? Christy Gate: What you can do is you plug it into your power source and then you plug whatever device you may have into the —that’s there and then you can actually measure how much a product is consuming. Lindsay Smith: Okay. Christy Gate: You know a little fun device. Lindsay Smith: And how would people—so after measuring it how do they do know it, if someone like me going in and I plugged it in and I read the number out there. How do I put some source significance to this? Christy Gate: You know, all of these devices are so diverse on what they use based on is it digital or is it manual, all that kind of stuff. You can definitely check out the website. You can multiply it by what you’re paying per kilowatt hour and then based on how much the product is the device is on for and stuff. Lindsay Smith: And lastly, what programs are available from BC Hydro for businesses wanting to invest more in Power Smart Products? Christy Gate: Check out the website BCHydro.com. There are always on-going programs where if they do want to invest in putting Power Smart Products into their office, there’s a program out there to help them with that. Lindsay Smith: Well, there you have it, Christy from BC Hydro Power Smart on tips for being power smart in your office using technology.