Curtailing unnecessary electricity consumption is one of the easiest and best ways to conserve energy. According to the United States Department of Energy, office equipment consumes approximately sixteen percent of power used in an office. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that each year, more than one billion dollars is frittered away on electricity consumed by computer monitors that are left on when not in use. Other discretionary equipment can also be turned off to save energy.

Allowing computers, servers and other pieces of equipment to enter sleep mode during idle periods can help cut energy costs. Few realize that savings of up to fifty percent are possible using sleep mode. It is recommended that you set monitors to enter sleep mode after five to twenty minutes of inactivity.

It is also recommended that computers are turned off at the end of each workday. According to Flex Your Power, California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, shutting down just one computer and monitor nightly and on weekends saves up to eighty dollars per year. Copy machines, printers and other office equipment should also be turned off while the office is unoccupied.

Occupants should be advised to unplug things that are not in use. Most equipment will still siphon energy to sustain timers, clocks, etc…(experts even say that some pieces of equipment use as much power when they are off as when they are on). Device chargers (for cell phones, cordless tools, etc.) should be unplugged once charging is complete. If the charger is left in the outlet, it is still using energy.

Other discretionary equipment within a building should also be turned off when dormant. This includes: elevators, escalators, lights, battery charging stations, electric pool heaters, and assorted pumps.