6 Equipment Upgrades to Make Your Business Greener
In today’s business world, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices are some of the most popular initiatives. While these principles are often focused on reducing a company’s carbon footprint, they can also help a business save money and become more competitive.
Going green always requires investment. Wasteful practices must be eliminated, and new procedures must be implemented. This is also true of the equipment a business uses for all its operations.
Whether it is office appliances, property upgrades, or industrial machines, some pieces of equipment are far more efficient and eco-conscious than others. Here are six equipment upgrades your business could make to become a greener company and save money in the long run.
Motion-Sensor Lighting
Cutting utility costs is a simple way to reduce the amount of energy your company uses and monthly expenses. Even the smallest upgrades can have a positive impact on the environment and your bottom line. One simple upgrade you can invest in for the building is motion-sensor lighting. It is easy to leave lights on when they are not needed, forcing the building to use more electricity. By installing motion-sensor lights in your office, store, warehouse, or factory space, the lights will automatically shut off when no one is around, saving money and electricity.
Hydraulic Pumps
Many businesses require a lot of energy for manual labor. Machines that convert energy make manual tasks much easier. With a hydraulic pump, non-compressible liquid and pressure combine to convert mechanical energy into fluid energy. Hydraulics can serve many purposes, especially in industrial settings. What sets this technology apart is the type of fluid that can be used. Other machines may use toxic fluids for operation, but hydraulic pumps are incorporating biodegradable fluids to reduce their environmental impact. These pumps also perform tasks with less energy consumption, so they are more efficient than other pieces of equipment. Plus, hydraulic pump parts are readily available to help maintain these machines for years.
Recycled Water Pressure Washers
Businesses with industrial settings or messy areas often require pressure washers to clean the premises. However, using so much water to clean the property every day can be wasteful. Any type of equipment that uses reclaimed water has a positive effect on the environment, so manufacturers can be greener by using recycled water. Instead of a traditional pressure washer, which requires new water to operate, this type of washer has a system that filters and reuses water for cleaning.
Solar Panels
Businesses around the world are embracing the power of the sun to minimize their energy consumption. This eternally renewable resource can power many systems, all for the upfront cost of solar installation and manageable maintenance expenses. Installing solar panels can benefit your business in numerous ways. First, it can be an efficient addition to the company’s parking lot. Not only will it generate electricity for the building or charge electric cars, but it can provide shade for your employees or customers. Solar panels can also be added to the roof of the building. Small, solar-powered lights can make the entrance to the business more appealing when the sun goes down.
Digital Whiteboards
Businesses go through a lot of paper, especially in office settings. Cutting down on the amount of paper you use will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money. One investment that will enhance your meetings and help the environment is a digital whiteboard. These interactive boards are perfect for conference rooms, allowing presenters or speakers to interact with the content on the screen in an engaging way. Combining these technologies will cut down on paper usage without sacrificing cohesiveness within your team.
Smart Thermostats
Another office upgrade that will cut utility costs is a smart thermostat. Traditional thermostats require the operator to adjust the temperature manually every time. It is easy to waste money on heating or cooling if someone forgets to adjust. A smart thermostat allows you to set timers or other conditions for turning the heat on and off. Plus, many thermostats will enable you to control the temperature from afar with an app on a smartphone. In either case, there will be fewer instances of the building using too much heat when it is completely unnecessary.
Eco-Friendly Furniture
More and more design companies offer sustainably produced office furniture. These sleek and elegant designs add sophistication and a sense of success while reducing the planet’s impact. You can get eco-friendly chairs, desks, and other office furnishings to suit any style or design palette.
Saving Money and the Planet Will Propel Your Company Forward
Technology is always changing as humanity discovers more efficient ways of doing things. As a business owner or manager, you are responsible for establishing principles for the company, and preserving the planet’s resources should be one of them. Not only will this present your company as a forward-thinking brand to customers, but it can also save money in the long run. Therefore, investing in these green equipment upgrades makes great business sense.
