by We all want to become more efficient when it comes to energy use. There are benefits to being more eco-friendly regardless of what your motivation is. If your motivation is simply a monetary one, then you will reduce your electric and natural gas bill. This will result in saving money every month. If your motivation is to be environmentally responsible, then you will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help promote a cleaner environment all around you.
Agera Energy is a utility provider in Westchester County, New York that delivers electricity and natural gas to its customers. The energy company has taken environmental responsibility to a whole new level. They have implemented energy saving and waste reduction initiatives all across their office in Briar Cliff Manor, New York. The utility company has even shared how they have become a Certified Westchester Green Business.
The first thing that Agera has done in its office is to switch its lighting. It now uses LED lighting throughout its 12,000-foot office space. This has had a tremendous energy savings impact. The company has slashed its utility bill significantly.
The reduction in CO2 gases due to switching to LED lighting is also massive. It is equivalent to powering 76 homes on a yearly basis. Who knew that switching to LED lighting can save so much energy? To further reduce electricity usage, Agera has initiated a policy of having employees turn off the lights in conference rooms and office rooms when they are not in use. This is common sense. If a room is not used, then there is no need to light it up and waste electricity.
Some of the windows of Agera Energy’s office building face south. This means that they will be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. To counteract the heating effect of this, the utility company had contractors install reflective film coverings on its south-facing windows. This reduces the heating effect of the sun and helps keep cooling costs under control.
Company refrigerators are monitored at Agera Energy. Thermostats were installed to make sure that the refrigerators are not using too much energy than is required. The result is a reduced impact on the environment and a smaller utility bill at the end of the month.
Before becoming a Certified Westchester Green Business, Agera Energy did not recycle any items. It only used waste containers to throw all waste away. Today Agera Energy has an extensive recycling program. Every room in its office in Briar Creek Manor, New York has recycling containers in addition to regular trash bins. The company recycles things such as glass, cans, and paper. By recycling, a company can have a tremendous impact on the waste stream. It also encourages the reuse of materials such as glass bottles, paper, and cans.
Of course, merely placing recycling bins is not enough. The utility company has made sure to label what is acceptable for recycling clearly. It has also tried to educate its workforce on how to recycle items both at work and at home properly.
Agera Energy goes a step further than most companies when it comes to recycling programs. The company also uses a contractor to dispose of hazardous wastes. It has also set up an e-waste recycling program. Employees are encouraged to place old electronic items and other e-waste in a special container for e-waste recycling. This further helps the environment and keeps hazardous materials away from our landfills and streets.
Water conservation is another aspect of Agera Energy’s environmental sustainability initiative. The energy provider has given every employee a free reusable BPA water bottle. Water filtration systems have been set up in the office that automatically refills these bottles with clean water. The company also encourages employees to report leaks and turn off faucets when done using them. Together, these initiatives have resulted in a significant decrease in water consumption and plastic waste.
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