Most facilities managers are rightly focused on the big-ticket items for facilities management. You may, however, be overlooking some items that hit the budget in smaller ways. Here are some ideas for small things that can add up to big savings over time.

1. Install Window Shades

Insulated window shades keep offices at comfortable temperatures and control energy costs whether it’s hot or cold outside. Window blinds allow workers to adjust the amount of light that comes through so they don’t need more lighting to get their work done. When completely closed, highly-reflective blinds can cool down a hot office by 45 percent. Quality window shades can last for many years ― a well-worth-it investment.

2. Tint Windows

Hot climates make window tinting a very valuable cost savings but they can also warm up cold interiors. A number of options are available from new window installations to tinting. Some tinting can provide enough light that lighting fixtures won’t be as necessary as they might be with window shades. You can conserve enough energy with some types of tinting that you’ll realize a 33-55 percent cost savings throughout the year.

3. Insulate Windows

New window technology allows you to install insulation with options that are relatively low cost. Glare-resistant panels help reduce the need for shading and you can procure panels that are shatter-resistant and LEED-certified.

4. Turn Off Computers at Day’s End

Unless an employee is logging on to a computer remotely which requires it be on to use, turning off computers that won’t be used for hours saves electricity and hardware wear-and-tear. You’ll hear frequent debates that powering off isn’t necessary but it can make a difference.

5. How Many Photocopiers Do You Really Need?

Photocopiers use a significant amount of energy just by being powered on. Using them consumes more energy as well as paper. Find out how much copying your building tenants really need to do. Is it more productive to copy large amounts of paper that need collating and stapling than it is to outsource, especially if needed just once or twice a year? Can you get rid of one large, multi-option copier and replace it with a smaller copier for small jobs? What about moving one multi-purpose copier to a centralized place and giving up the others?

6. Modernize Office Copiers

If you need regular photocopying for big jobs, options are available on new models that can streamline production thereby reducing the time employees need to spend on copying. You can get high-speed, energy-efficient versions, types that allow employees to automatically program clients to bill for copies, and more. Find out what’s out there and what your company needs.

7. Invest in High-Efficiency Toilets

Gallons of water are wasted in toilets but flushing solids takes almost half as much more water as liquids so, for savings, get dual-flush options. Another option is pressure-assist technology which also uses less water for flushing yet maintains more water in the bowl which eliminates the need for frequent cleaning (another cost savings).

8. Get Electronic-Flush Valve Toilets

Automatic-flush toilets use less water than standard flush and provide tremendous other cost-savings benefits. Because they assure the toilet is, indeed, flushed, you can trim the number of times cleaning staff need to check and clean restrooms. And, by no longer needing to touch a toilet handle, you’ll be reducing germs meaning healthier, happier, and more productive employees.

9. Put Touch-Free Paper Tower Dispensers in Restrooms

Help limit how many paper towels restroom visitors take by installing sensor dispensers that automatically release one sheet at a time. Sometimes manual dispensers cause paper towels to stick together and come out in chunks. Just one sheet often does the job!

10. Buy Automatic Toilet Paper Dispensers

Get dispensers that supply only the amount of toilet paper a user needs. More than one roll can be stored in certain types so washroom attendants don’t have to check supplies often, saving resources. By limiting the amount that comes out, users are less apt to keep pulling the roll and no one can pull out and take an entire roll.

If you find these tips helpful, you might also want to look at a previous post of ours that talks about bigger budget savings from energy efficiency: 8 Ways to Save Up to 30% on Your Facilities and Operations Budget.

For information about our Facilities Management Services, visit our Facilities pages.

If you’d like to talk to us about your needs, call (301) 596-2440.