Greener Operations and Maintenance
In order for a building to be green, it also needs to be
operated and maintained in an environmentally friendly
way. Through greener operations and maintenance,
your agency can ensure that it reduces its
environmental harm, cuts its operating costs, and
enhances the working environment.
A faucet leaking cold water could
cost about $1.50 per week while
one leaking hot water could cost
about $20 per week due to the
energy used to heat the water.
In one year, one leaky faucet
could cost about $1,000.
What You Can Do
Management
1. Work with property management to perform energy and water audits to find
opportunities to save resources and money.
2. Monitor for heating and cooling leaks around the building.
3. Ensure that cleanings products used are non-toxic for manufacturers, users, and
when disposed.
4. Be sure that cleaning staff is training in the proper and safe use of cleaning
products.
5. If you have the option in your office, lower the thermostat a few degrees. (Most
buildings are enormous energy guzzlers, and most of the energy used to power them
still comes from non-renewable resources.)
6. Reduce the amount of water used by toilets, urinals, faucets, drinking fountains, and
showers.
7. Purchase green power, which is generated from renewable fuel sources. (Beginning
January 1, 2002, the Pennsylvania government began purchasing 5% (100 million
kilowatt-hours) of its energy from renewable resources for the next two years.
These include solar, wind, landfill gas, and hydropower. For more information, visit:
Personal
8. Turn off lights when leaving the office for meetings, for lunch, or for the day.
9. Consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
10. If it helps you to remember, place a reminder on your door or by your light switch to
turn off your lights and equipment when you leave for the day.
11. If you bring in cleaning products for your own workspace, be sure that they are non-
toxic.
12. Turn off the water when you're not using it.
13. Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator to avoid running the water until it is cold.
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