Office equipment

From PCs to vending machines, office equipment of some kind or another is used by almost all UK businesses, and accounts for around 15% of all the electrical energy used in UK offices.

It’s an area where huge savings can be made, as effective management of equipment can reduce its energy consumption by up to 70%.

The office equipment technology overview (PDF) gives an introduction to the main office equipment energy saving opportunities for businesses.

	Introduction		Energy efficiency labels
	Housekeeping		Publications and resources
	Upgrading equipment and systems

Introduction

From simple housekeeping tips to detailed advice on upgrading equipment and systems, this section will help you make your office equipment more energy efficient, saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.

The office equipment technology overview (PDF) explores simple measures for cutting office equipment costs through more efficient operation and through intelligent purchasing of new equipment. For more practical energy saving tips see the Switch to saving DVD.

Top 3 recommended carbon saving measures for office equipment:

Upgrade existing equipment
Technology advances daily. New equipment with better energy efficiency ratings can lead to big savings. Watch the video and see how much you could save by upgrading old monitors. You’ll find advice on a range of equipment in upgrading equipment and systems.

Have an office equipment policy
Develop a set of guidelines to standardise operations and communicate it. For example: activate stand-by modes on PCs and set up printers to print both sides of the paper (duplex printing).

Maintain equipment
Well-maintained equipment is more efficient and lasts longer. So set up a maintenance schedule, keep equipment free from obstructions and prevent over-heating by cleaning filters and fans regularly.