| In honor of Earth Day | | | | collection off on a regular basis. |
| 1) Eliminate "Phantom Loads". A Phantom load is | | | | 4) Unplug battery charges when the battery is |
| energy that is consumed by an electronic device | | | | charged. The charges use an incredible amount of |
| that is turned off but plugged into the wall. Even | | | | energy so be sure to stay on top of them. |
| though the device is off it still draws power from | | | | 5) Always look for the ENERGY STAR® and |
| the outlet. Yes, it is true, even though your | | | | EnergyGuide labels when shopping for home |
| device is turned off it is likely still drawing energy. | | | | appliances. The ENERGY STAR® label is the |
| According to the Department Of Energy, "75% of | | | | government's seal of energy efficiency. The |
| the electricity used to power home electronics | | | | EnergyGuide label estimates an appliance's energy |
| and appliances is consumed while the products are | | | | consumption. |
| turned off". To eliminate this massive amount of | | | | 6) Set your computer to automatically switch to |
| waste plug all of your electronic devices in your | | | | sleep mode instead of the screen saver when |
| home office into power strips that have an On | | | | you are not using it. According to the Department |
| Off switch, then switch each control strip to Off | | | | Of Energy, and contrary to popular belief, screen |
| at the end of your work day. This should reduce | | | | savers do not save energy! |
| you electric energy usage by 75%! | | | | 7) Position your desk near a window if possible so |
| 2) Do you really need a hard copy of every fax | | | | you can use sunlight instead of lamps and ceiling |
| you receive? Many of you probably don't. Start | | | | lights. |
| receiving inbound faxes using a web based service | | | | 8) When it gets too hot install an energy reducing |
| such as eFax or J2. Receiving your faxes digitally | | | | pull-down shade on your window if your home |
| will reduce the amount of paper you use because | | | | office tends to heat up from direct sunlight. This |
| the fax is converted to a digital, usually PDF, | | | | can cut the heat from your window by 95%. We |
| format and emailed to you. You can then file the | | | | tested this one from Redi Shade and it was super |
| fax away on your computer and print if anytime | | | | easy to install and worked like a charm: |
| if you need to. In addition to saving Trees the | | | | 9) If you are the only one at home during work |
| other benefit is that you can receive your faxes | | | | hours use a space heater or room fan instead of |
| anywhere you are via email. Good for you and | | | | the house wide heating or cooling system. This will |
| good for the environment. It just makes sense! | | | | save a ton of energy! |
| 3) Recycling. If you are not already doing this | | | | 10) Bring a houseplant into your home office. Did |
| today is a great day to start. Take an extra | | | | you know a NASA study determined that a |
| trash can or spare box and dedicate it as your | | | | common houseplant could remove up to 87 |
| home office recycling bin. Drop any recyclable | | | | percent of air toxins in 24 hours from a room? |
| materials such paper and water bottles into it | | | | It's true and a heck of a lot cheaper and energy |
| instead of your regular garbage can. If your | | | | efficient then a powered air purifier. Each time |
| waste disposal company does not provide | | | | you water or gaze at your plant's beauty you will |
| recycling pickups search for a local recycling | | | | be reminded of the symbiotic relationship we |
| center where you can drop your recycling | | | | have with Earth. |