If You Are Able to Work From

In the U.S., nearly 4.2 million people worked from home in 2000, up from 3.4 million in 1990.

I recommend: Work from home if possible.  Working from home saves energy and time by cutting out the commute, but it may increase your home energy bills a lot unless you use energy-saving office equipment.

Using Engery Star Electronics

Energy Star office products use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Along with direct energy savings, this equipment can reduce air-conditioning loads, noise from fans and transformers, and electromagnetic field emissions from monitors. An Energy Star computer uses 70% less electricity than computers without this designation. If left inactive, Energy Star computers enter a low-power mode and use 15 watts or less. Spending a large portion of time in low-power mode not only saves energy, but helps equipment run cooler and last longer.

I recommend: Shop for Energy Star electronics including cordless phones, televisions, VCRs and DVD players, combination units (TV/VCR; TV/DVD), computers, copiers, fax machines, monitors, multi-function devices (fax, scanner, copier), printers and scanners. Energy Star office equipment is widely available and energy efficient, providing users with dramatic savings, as much as 90% savings for some products.

Rechargeable Batteries

Studies have shown that using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and PDAs is more cost effective than throwaway batteries. If you must use throwaways, check with your trash removal company about safe disposal options.

I recommend: Use Rechargeable Batteries

Consider three-way lamps

They make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary.

I recommend: Use Three Way Lamps