How to Go Green at the Office

There are a number of ways to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of your office. At Architectural Window Treatments, we believe the right window treatments in Chicago can make your office more attractive and more energy-efficient. For a list of things that will make your office greener, read this article.

Automated Blinds
Installing automatic blinds can make a big difference in the energy efficiency of your office. Automatic blinds make it easy for you to adjust the blinds in your office, which allows you to reduce the amount of sunlight coming into your office at any given time. In the summer you can raise the blinds during the day to help reduce sunlight exposure, and in the winter you can lower the blinds to warm your office. With automatic blinds it is easy to raise the blinds at night to improve insulation.

Smart Technology
Purchase a smart programmable thermostat for your office if you don't already have one. With a programmable thermostat, you can control the temperature of your office even when you're away. More advanced smart office systems let you control the automatic shades, lights, and computers in your office.

Avoid Paper
The greenest paper is no paper at all—store and distribute your documents online rather than printing them out whenever possible. Useful software such as Greenprint will eliminate blank pages from your documents before printing and can even convert your documents to PDF to make them easier to share.

Use Green Materials
If you must print, use recycled paper, envelopes, pens, and pencils that are processed using eco-friendly techniques. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper in the bathroom and kitchen, and give cleaning staff biodegradable cleaners. Recycle and reuse as much as you can, including shipping boxes and printer cartridges.

Green Redesign
You can improve your office's insulation by calling your energy company, scheduling an energy consultation, and implementing the tips they give you. Replace incandescent bulbs with company fluorescents. Be sure that low-VOC paints and furniture are used to keep employees healthy.