When investing in new office or workplace equipment and appliances, use the Energy Star® ratings (stars) to guide you to the most efficient products.
The Energy Star® program of energy efficiency ratings was developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and adopted by the Australian Government as our standard rating system in 2006. The EPA estimates that the Energy Star program saved the US about $14 billion in energy costs in 2006 alone.
Currently the Australian government uses the Energy Star® program for office equipment and consumer electronics, including computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, televisions and dvd players may carry this endorsement label in Australia. These products will carry the Energy Star® rating label.
The cost of energy is rising and the effect of climate change is increasing. Office and workplace appliances (including computers, photocopiers, printers and fax machines) constitute a large portion of many SME’s energy bills.
Organise your workplace to use your appliances more efficiently.
There are ways to re-organise your workspace to minimize the amount of appliances and equipment you require to run your business. Some ideas:
When purchasing new equipment, buy the most efficient.
The following Energy Star databases provide a list of equipment that qualifies for the higher efficiency standards of the Energy Star program:
To read more about the Energy Star program and how a product earns the Energy Star label, explore these links.
The science is telling us that we need to reduce our green house gas emissions and slow climate change. One way of doing this is to aspire to the efficiencies found in nature. This action is intended to help people understand the lasting benefits of energy efficiency and to be informed when purchasing office and workplace appliances and equipment.
Global warming, droughts, dead river systems and species extinction are all results of our overuse of natural systems and their consequent decline. Reducing the amount of energy needed to run our businesses is a powerful way to ease this pressure on our precious natural systems.
Climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions is projected to adversely affect the health of millions of people throughout the world with increases in malnutrition, disease, injury and deaths from heatwaves, floods, storms, fires and droughts, increases in diarrhoeal disease, increased frequency of cardio-respiratory disease due to worsening air quality and altered distribution of some disease vectors (Department of Human Services, Oct 2007).
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; garbage collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
After hours emergencies for roads, bridges, animal control,
water, sewer & landfill
Phone: 02 6540 1199