What goes into your office is important. From the chairs and the desks to what type of flooring is utilized, energy savings can be found.
Office chairs and desks can be certified by certain programs that monitor the levels of chemicals, such as formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are used in their production. So make sure you are only purchasing chairs and desks that are Cradle to Cradle Certified, or part of the Indoor Advantage Certification Program.
When it comes to walls, you also have choices when it comes to saving energy and the environment, while looking out for your indoor air quality. It is important to consider paints that have low levels of VOCs, but your real energy savings will come with Window Treatments, which help to prevent massive heat loss through your windows.
Lastly, when it comes to floors, you don’t have to follow the same old conventions. Bamboo or cork flooring is an innovative way to prevent large scale deforestation. Both resources are much more renewable than other forms of wood flooring, and if you add carpeting, thermal mass or radiant floors, you can also decrease your heat costs at the same time.
Office Finishes Checklist:
- Energy Audit
- Toxic Free Paints
- Insulated Walls
- Window Treatments
- Bamboo Flooring
- Cork Flooring
- Carpeting
- Insulated Double Wall
- Thermal Mass Floors
- Radiant Floors
