Greening Up The Real Estate Office: Environmentally Conscious Solutions

Environmental consciousness is rapidly growing across the country as more people discover simple ways they can save money and the planet. Greening a business is no different -- these easy tips will turn any outdated office into an eco-friendlier workplace.

Green Up Real Estate Offices: Change Light Bulbs

Electricity, above all other forms of power and fuel, is the top contributor to global warming. Producing electricity means burning fossil fuels, which in turn create toxic carbon emissions that seep into the atmosphere and hence warm the planet. The simplest thing you can do, whether your real estate office is home-based or in a tall office tower, is change your light bulbs.

Switching over from fluorescent and incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, is a great way to cut down on your monthly energy bill. LEDs, which are gaining popularity, are another excellent option. CFLs and LEDs both use a significantly reduced amount of energy and last much longer than standard bulbs. See the savings for yourself over the next few years and know that you’re cutting down on the carbon footprint of your business.

Green Up Real Estate Offices: Water Conservation

Only three percent of the Earth’s surface is fresh water, and out of that, there is a limited supply. Conserving water is very important for the future, and one of the best ways to do so is checking for leaks. Fixing the faucets and pipes can save quite a bit on the water bill every month, as well as save water overall. If you own the building, install low-flush toilets. Encourage employees to use less water by waiting for it to heat up. Instead, install electric instantaneous under-sink hot water heaters.

Green Up Real Estate Offices: Heating And Cooling

Even perennially sunny Southern California and Florida experience changes in the weather. Keep in the heat by applying clear film and thermo shades to all the windows. Program the thermostats to use less energy by cooling or warming the building in the winter and summer months by two degrees. This small number will make a huge difference in energy wasted.

Additionally, if possible, try to use solar power in the office with panels above the windows to cut down on energy consumption. If you are really looking for ways to go green, hire an auditor at your local power company to come out and see what ways you and the rest of the office can moderate energy usage. With a few tweaks in greening real estate, you can save a lot of energy and money.