As consumers and employees prioritize green office environments, decision-makers and company leaders must incorporate strategic sustainability to benefit the organization while limiting environmental harm. These simple tips will allow you to create a sustainable office environment fit for today’s consumers and employees.
What is a Sustainable Office Environment?
A sustainable office is a work environment that considers the construction, design, and operational practices to minimize a negative environmental impact. Most eco-friendly offices seek to reduce energy expenditure and waste regarding the physical building and equipment within the office. A few examples of sustainable building include the following:
- Reducing the use of material resources
- Reducing environmental pollution in material sourcing and manufacturing.
- Reducing damage to the environment and biodiversity
- Efficient use of water, energy, and resources
- Providing a high-quality, healthy work environment
Ultimately, a sustainable office should reflect your organization’s values of environmental protection, social development, and economic development.
The Benefits of a Sustainable Office
Sustainability has become increasingly important to employees and organizations in recent years. The primary reason for the push towards sustainability is a significantly smaller carbon footprint, which comes with the benefit of allowing consumers and clients to view your organization as an environmentally-conscious brand. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of many of their favorite products and services, they’re more likely to support environmentally conscious organizations.
However, cultivating a sustainable office environment also positively impacts company culture. Recent studies show that green offices boast a 26% increase in employee cognition. These offices also experienced improvements in information usage and crisis management. Additionally, natural light and improved ventilation reduce employee sick days while increasing productivity.
A sustainable office also reduces operational costs, with LEED-certified buildings reporting 20% lower maintenance costs compared to traditional commercial buildings. Since buildings account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, creating green office space plays a significant role in an eco-friendly society.
4 AV Design Tips for a Sustainable Office
Thoughtful AV design can bring out the best in any workspace. Although many organizations attempt to create an eco-friendly workspace by reducing the use of paper and incorporating decorative greenery, it is essential to consider the effect that your AV solutions have on the overall sustainability of your office. Get started with these simple tips if you’re interested in creating a sustainable office space.
1. Select Energy Efficient AV Equipment
AV integration specialists will help your organization select AV equipment that reduces overall energy expenditure in the office. In most cases, AV integrators will recommend ENERGY STAR-certified equipment, which means it adheres to the government’s energy-efficient requirements. Energy-efficient AV equipment may have the following features:
- Auto-standby mode ensures that devices automatically power down after a certain period.
- Audio amplifiers that are Class-D, rather than Class-AB, because they produce significantly less heat.
- Energy-efficient laser projectors have a longer operating life, increased brightness, and less maintenance than other projectors.
It is also beneficial to replace outdated lighting fixtures in the office and replace them with energy-saving LED light bulbs. They also have longer useful life than other lighting options, which reduces maintenance costs. If it suits your office, AV integrators can create meeting rooms and workplaces that incorporate natural light, reducing dependence on artificial lighting and improving employee morale.
2. Utilize Automation to Conserve Energy
Energy conservation is vital in creating a sustainable office and reducing your organization’s carbon footprint. Most office buildings consistently leave lighting, audio, call systems, and displays operating at total capacity. This leads to increased energy expenditure and operating expenses. Recent reports state that automation controls reduce energy consumption by 29%.
Consider integrating AV equipment complete with automation features. In most cases, organizations utilize automation features that include motion sensor technology, which ensures that AV equipment turns on and off when an individual enters or exits the room. AV integrators may also recommend smart lighting adjustments that automatically become more or less bright depending on the time of day.
3. Incorporate Device Monitoring to Utilize Space Effectively
Your sustainable office is only complete with AV equipment that enables employees and clients to collaborate remotely. Video conferencing allows workers to eliminate significant costs, gasoline, and energy associated with in-person meetings.
Ensure that your meeting rooms feature energy-efficient displays, lighting, and audio equipment for effective collaboration. Installing video conferencing software compatible with your AV equipment is also beneficial. AV integration specialists will work with your organization to select solutions that meet your needs. For instance, if many of your clients are long-distance, you may need a more robust video conferencing system than other work environments.
4. Reduce Heating and Cooling in the Office
To improve sustainability, consider installing smart thermostats throughout your office building. Smart thermostats monitor and control the temperature to ensure that the office space remains comfortable throughout the entire day. Furthermore, smart thermostats allow users to turn off air conditioning systems remotely.
When creating a sustainable office, analyze data regarding foot traffic in different areas of the building. You can utilize this information to identify areas with high or low-volume traffic, which allows you to reduce the use of air conditioning at specific times.
Create a Sustainable Office with Applied Global
At Applied Global Technologies (AGT), we offer a wide range of AV solutions designed to improve workplace productivity. Our team has the tools and expertise to help your business make the most of its shared office space.
To learn more about our AV solutions, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss your specific needs and recommend the right solution for your business needs and budget.
