When an office overheats it is all too easy to just reach for the
air conditioning remote control and turn it on, without any consideration for what is causing the temperature discomfort in the first place. Most offices employ a whole suite of equipment designed to make our lives easier and more efficient but they make a considerable contribution to heating up the office space. This ongoing dual between office equipment and air conditioning means that office-based activities are responsible for the emission of nearly 7m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year according to the Carbon Trust. However it is not all bad news - the Trust also estimates that energy savings of up to 20% are possible in this sector - which would equate to savings of approximately 157m.
So which pieces of office equipment are the biggest perpetrators?
* personal computer 150w
* laser printer 500w
* photocopier standby 200w
* photocopier in use 1000w
* fax machine 500w
* coffee machine 800w
* tv/video screen 50w
All of these items can be essential to every day office life but by continuing with bad office habits this equipment will continue to spew out heat and thus have employees hitting the cool button on the air conditioning. However, there are a variety of simple steps that can be undertaken in order to help air conditioning operate efficiently:
Computers and monitors
Given that most offices will have a large number of computers, making small changes to normal practices and procedures can be highly effective. Turn off monitors when staff are away from their desks and ensure that all computers are properly shut down at the end of each day.
Printers and photocopiers
As well as making changes to reduce the amount of printing an organisation does and using lower print quality where possible, it is best to print items in batches, as this means that equipment can spend the maximum time in deep sleep state, therefore preserving energy. Plug-in timers can be installed on all printers and photocopiers to ensure that they are switched off overnight and at weekends. In addition, the location of printers and photocopiers can also directly impact energy usage. By placing them in cooler/ventilated areas less energy will be spent working overtime to stay cool.
Vending and hot drink machines
Ensure that all vending and hot drink machines are turned off overnight if they dont contain perishable goods. Timers can also be installed to ensure that the machines are on during office hours. Lighting in the vending machines can be reduced by removing one or more of the fluorescent tubes, which in turn reduces the heat in the machine. This can be particularly effective for refrigerated units. However, it is advisable to consult with the machine manufacturer/supplier before implementing such changes.
The heat load of each room is dependent on an array of factors such as the number of lights, people, glass area facing the sun, and the presence of computers and other equipment - which means that it can be difficult to accurately estimate the cooling capacity required. However as a rule of thumb normal modern offices require 46w per m3 and different office settings will require different models of portable air conditioning units such as:
* exhaust tube - where there is a tube to remove the hot air via a window or vent in the ceiling
* split type refrigerant - where the condenser is placed just outside the room over a window
* split type water - where the condenser is within the room and cooled by water from a supply as far as 30m away
Air conditioning is clearly vital in most offices and where it is not built in to the fabric of the building, an increasing amount of organisations are hiring equipment for particularly warm or badly ventilated rooms or during the summer months. However, air conditioning units should not be left to battle away against the heat produced from the items listed above. By implementing some carbon-friendly office policies, it is possible to reduce an organisations carbon footprint, reduce energy bills by allowing the air conditioning to operate as efficiently as possible.
