Talking Trash

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Energy Month 2011: Energy savings at work

Posted as part of our Earth Month 2011 "GoGreen News and Tips" series...

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How can your workplace conserve energy? For the final installment in our Earth Month 2011 series, here's an example from a local certified Green Business:

Goodwill Industries International, in Rockville, MD, decreased its energy use by 17.5% while it increased its staff by 34%. Energy-saving changes included:

• installing energy-efficient overhead lighting, occupancy sensors, shades in the southern-facing windows, photocell sensors and automated off-hours temperature controls
• posting signs encouraging staff to turn off lights.
• reducing emergency lighting
• removing additional lights in over-lit areas.

Purchasing 100% wind power RECs (renewable energy certificates) resulted in the avoidance of an estimated 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year, as well as estimated savings of over $8,000 annually.

Goodwill's headquarters became a certified Green Business with the County in January 2011.

Learn more about the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program, and check out the list of already-certified businesses: www.mcgreenbiz.org

Use a Kill A Watt meter to check your appliances' and gadgets' energy use and begin your own home or office energy audit. Borrow a meter at

• certain Montgomery County Public Library branches
  
  • Check availability or reserve online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library (Search catalog for "Kill a Watt")
• Bethesda Green: www.bethesdagreen.org/Programs/KillaWattMeter/tabid/272/Default.aspx
• What's a Kill A Watt meter? www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html