1. Reduce the number of hours you operate you building’s lighting, plug loads and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems by adjusting the controls as needed.

2. Adjust the thermostat settings for electrically heated buildings to provide no more heating or cooling than is reasonably necessary for comfort.

3. Turn off unnecessary lighting in frequently unoccupied areas, such as backrooms.

4. Adjust your building’s housekeeping and custodial and maintenance routines to minimize after-hours lighting.

5. Reduce office machine plug loads by turning off and/or reducing the use of computers, monitors, printers and copiers. When purchasing new office equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label indicating energy efficient models. Be sure to enable all energy saving features in office equipment.

6. Enlist tenants and employees in the effort to save energy. Communicate the need to manage individual and collective energy use through posters, employee/tenant newsletters, group e-mails…

7. Perform operations and maintenance procedures appropriate to your building to ensure that lighting and HVAC systems are at optimal levels. For example, clean filters and lighting fixture diffusers and service your HVAC system regularly.

8. Upgrade lighting systems.

9. Upgrade HVAC system components.

10. Upgrade other mechanical systems such as elevators, commercial refrigeration, air compressors and adjust equipment settings.