1. Bring Your Green to Work with ENERGY STAR®
How to save energy and protect the environment
—all without leaving your workplace!
*Note to presenter: This presentation is designed to be a 40-minute brown bag session, with 20 additional, optional minutes for group discussion and a fun review quiz. Text in red should be customized to fit your organization’s specific situation.
You can order free ENERGY STAR brochures, posters, and other materials online ( or by calling toll-free at
Before the presentation, consider ordering the following for attendees:
BYGTW tip card (EPA Document #430-F )
BYGTW poster (EPA Document #430-H )
BYGTW Notepad (EPA Document #430-E )
Before the presentation, you may also wish to download and print copies of the following for attendees:
Green Team checklist (download and print from
Test Your Energy IQ quiz (download and print from
Text has been provided in the speaker notes to help guide your presentation. Slides and 38 have options for interactive activities online. For this reason, access to the Internet during the presentation is suggested but not necessary.

2. Energy and the Environment
During this presentation, we’ll discuss how to save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by taking the same green steps at work that we already take at home. But first, let’s discuss energy use and how it impacts the environment.

3. The Link Between Energy Use & Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Every building uses energy, which is most often generated by the burning of fossil fuels.
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, releases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere which contribute to climate change.
To generate energy, power plants typically burn fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. The burning of these fuels sends greenhouse gases into the environment. These gases, in turn, cause climate change by trapping the sun’s heat in the atmosphere.
By learning to use energy more efficiently, we can protect the environment.

4. The Big Picture: Energy Use in the United States
The energy used to power the buildings in our communities—such as schools, stores, and manufacturing plants—makes up half of our nation’s “energy pie” at a cost of over $200 billion annually.
The buildings where we work, play, and learn are responsible for nearly 50% of our country’s energy use at a cost of over $200 billion a year.
Energy Information Administration, 2003 CBECS Detailed Tables

5. The Big Picture: Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States
The energy used to power the places where we work, play, and learn results in half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
Over the next 25 years, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are projected to grow faster than any other sector, and are expected to increase almost 2 percent a year through We have the largest opportunity to save energy, save money, and protect the environment by increasing energy efficiency in the buildings where we work, play, and learn.
Commercial buildings and industrial facilities are responsible for 45% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas and Sinks: , US EPA

6. Did You Know?
The energy used by a building to support just one office worker for a day causes more than twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as that worker’s drive to and from work?
This is a striking fact, and it emphasizes that the steps we take at work to save energy—as individuals and as an organization—can make a big difference for the environment.

7. Opportunities for Energy Efficiency
The average building wastes 30% of the energy it consumes because of inefficiencies.
If the energy efficiency of U.S. commercial and industrial buildings improved by 10%:
Savings of $20 billion.
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions equal to about 30 million vehicles.
… a year
When we leave lights on or run the air conditioning in an empty building, we waste energy. Wasting energy results in higher utility bills, more greenhouse gas emissions, and consequently, more climate change. And typically 30% of the energy used by a building is wasted!
If the energy efficiency of buildings in the United States improved by just 10 percent, we would save about $20 billion and reduce greenhouse gases equal to the emissions from about 30 million vehicles.
EPA’s ENERGY STAR program helps businesses and consumers capitalize on opportunities to save energy, save money, and protect the environment.

8. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program: An Effective Solution
Healthier environment for American families
Greenhouse gas emissions
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Energy efficiency =
Since 1992—good for the environment; good for the bottom line.
More than 60 different categories of ENERGY STAR qualified products.
Tens of thousands of ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
More than 1 million ENERGY STAR qualified homes.
Established in 1992, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program helps individuals and organizations across the country to strategically manage energy performance, cut energy use, lower utility bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An important part of this effort is EPA’s recognition of top performance.
The ENERGY STAR label is EPA’s mark of superior energy efficiency. It is recognized by more than 80 percent of Americans as a trusted label on energy-efficient products for our homes and workplaces. But it’s not just dishwashers that can earn the ENERGY STAR—homes and buildings can too!
If we look back to the pie chart we saw just a moment ago, we know that buildings consume a lot of energy and have a huge impact on climate change. So it’s very important that we not only try to be more energy efficient at home but at work too. And EPA’s ENERGY STAR program can help.

9. ENERGY STAR and the Buildings Where We Work, Play and Learn
Buildings that perform in the top 25% of energy efficiency nationwide compared to their peers may be eligible for the ENERGY STAR.
ENERGY STAR certified buildings:
Use 35% less energy.
Generate 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Cost 50 cents less per square foot to operate (office buildings).
Look for the ENERGY STAR next time you go to the grocery store or choose a hotel for your next vacation! (See energystar.gov/buildinglist.)
EPA’s ENERGY STAR program can help an organization measure and assess its energy performance; develop and implement a plan to reduce energy use; and engage employees and tenants with fun, interactive tools.
When the energy performance of a building reaches the top 25 percent nationwide, the building may be eligible for the ENERGY STAR.
Buildings that are currently eligible for the ENERGY STAR include:
Commercial Buildings:
Bank branches
Courthouses
Data Centers
Dormitories
Financial Centers
Hospitals
Hotels
Houses of Worship
K-12 Schools
Medical offices
Offices
Retail
Supermarkets
Senior Care and Assisted Living
Warehouses
Industrial Plants:
Auto assembly
Cement plants
Container glass manufacturing
Flat glass manufacturing
Frozen fried potato processing
Juice processing
Petroleum refineries
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Wet Corn Mills

10. Helping Organizations Improve Energy Efficiency
EPA has challenged organizations to improve the energy performance of their buildings by 10% or more.
Thousands of organizations are working toward this goal—and beyond.
We are answering this Challenge.
Took the ENERGY STAR Challenge in XXXX [or] Joined
ENERGY STAR as a partner in XXXX.
Taking steps in our organization to save energy and educate our employees, such as this brownbag!
Organizations can improve their energy efficiency with help from EPA. Thousands of organizations are doing so already, including 30% of the Fortune 500, eight of the 10 largest U.S. healthcare systems, major league baseball teams, colleges and universities, small businesses, and more.
As a first step, some organizations have taken the ENERGY STAR Challenge. The ENERGY STAR Challenge is a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more. We’re proud to be one of the organizations working toward this important goal.
*Note to presenter: To find out if your organization has taken the ENERGY STAR Challenge: 1) If you are a commercial business or organization, visit and click on “See all Challenge Participants.” 2) If your organization is an industrial company or manufacturing plant, visit to find out of your organization has take the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry.
Other organizations have taken it a step further by joining ENERGY STAR as a partner and making an organization-wide commitment to improving energy efficiency with help from EPA. And we’re proud to be one of them.
*Note to presenter: To find out if your organization is an ENERGY STAR partner, visit and click on the Buildings & Partner list.
This brownbag is one of many steps we’re taking to engage employees so everyone can get involved in our efforts to save energy.

11. What Our Partnership with ENERGY STAR Means
We’ve joined more than 5,800 other ENERGY STAR partners to improve the energy efficiency of buildings where we work, play and learn.
ENERGY STAR partners have helped prevent emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 60 million American homes per year.
Improving energy efficiency frees up financial resources for other uses.
*Note to presenter: Please use this slide and customize if your organization is an ENERGY STAR partner. If your organization is not an ENERGY STAR partner, please delete this slide and use slide 12 with appropriate edits.
Our company has joined more than 5,800 other organizations as an ENERGY STAR partner working to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings we own and manage—with help from you, our employees.
And the results speak for themselves—ENERGY STAR partners have helped prevent emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 60 million American homes for a year and counting!
It’s no accident that nearly 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies are ENERGY STAR partners. Saving energy saves money, which helps the bottom line. By cutting operational costs, our organization can spend that money somewhere else—such as funding employee salaries.

12. What We’re Doing to Save Energy
As part of the ENERGY STAR partnership commitment, we agreed to:
Measure and track energy use in the buildings we own or manage.
Develop a plan to improve energy performance.
Make energy efficiency upgrades.
Spread the word about energy efficiency to others.
Design new buildings that we own or manage to be energy efficient.
In addition, we’ve decided to go green by:
Recycling cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metals.
Using recycled paper.
Cutting down on water use.
*Note to presenter: Please add or delete steps being taken by your company, and tell your employees what else your company is doing or has done to be greener. In particular, if you are not an ENERGY STAR partner, please replace the first bullet and associated sub-bullets with your organization’s energy mission statement and appropriate highlights.

13. You Can Help!
Like everything we do here at Organization Name, energy efficiency is a team effort.
Small changes make a big impact.
By working together, we can save energy and help protect the environment.
*Note to presenter: Resume the presentation with this slide, whether or not your organization is an ENERGY STAR partner.

14. What You Can Do to Help Save Energy

15. Bring Your Green to Work
EPA can help you make many of the same green choices at work as you make at home.
Through Bring Your Green to Work, EPA offers tips and advice on how to make the same green choices at work as you make at home.

16. Bring Your Green to Work Resources
Building tour video
Animated workplace tools
Tip card and posters
Green team checklist
Energy quiz
Fast facts
…and more!
The Bring Your Green site includes all of these resources…and more (free of charge!).

17. Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
In this video, green guru Danny Seo takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of an ENERGY STAR certified building. Fun and engaging, this video can help you learn what makes a building energy efficient and what you can do to help.
*Note to presenter: To add an interactive element, watch all (if time permits) or part of the video online. You can also download it to your computer before the presentation and play it from your desktop.

18. Explore Energy-Efficient Workplaces
From an office cubicle to a manufacturing plant, these interactive workplace tools show the steps we can all take to do our part and save energy!
*Note to presenter: If you have Internet access, click through the interactive online tools to demonstrate the energy-saving measures to employees. Otherwise, the tips are provided in the following slides.
EPA created two online tools to demonstrate simple measures we can take around our own workplaces to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. All you have to do is click on the blue stars to have energy-saving advice at your fingertips!

19. Explore an Energy-Efficient Office Cubicle
Blinds – During cold weather, take advantage of the sun’s warmth by keeping blinds open during daylight hours. To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close blinds in warm weather.
Programmable thermostat –programmable thermostats can automatically adjust your building’s temperature settings so energy is not wasted to cool or warm air when the building is empty.
Vent – Make sure window vents are clear of papers and other items so the air can circulate freely.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure.
Monitor/ computer – Look for the ENERGY STAR and enable power management settings on your work computer and monitor so they automatically enter a low-power mode when not in use. 19

20. Explore an Energy-Efficient Office Cubicle
Challenge poster – Take the ENERGY STAR Challenge, a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings. Encourage your employer and co-workers to do the same! You can also order free brochures and posters for your office or for employee fairs and Earth Day activities at energystar.gov/publications.
Multifunction device (printer/copier/scanner) – An ENERGY STAR qualified multifunction device that combines several capabilities (print, scan, copy) can save energy and space. Make sure power management features are enabled for additional savings.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure.
Cell phone – Unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger. On average, ENERGY STAR qualified battery chargers and adapters use 30-35% less energy than conventional models. 20

21. Explore an Energy-Efficient Office Cubicle
Water cooler – Did you know EPA qualifies water coolers? On average, ENERGY STAR models require about half as much energy as standard units. Encourage your employer to look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure.
Desk lamp – Replace the bulbs in desk lamps with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). These light bulbs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer! ENERGY STAR qualified lamps and light fixtures are also available for even more energy savings. 21

22. Explore an Energy-Efficient Office Cubicle
You – You can make a difference by getting involved! Create a Green Team with your co-workers to help save energy and reduce office waste. Set a goal to make your building one of the most energy efficient in the nation and earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR.
Power strip – Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity when plugged in. Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using office equipment to completely disconnect the power supply.
Light switch – Remember to turn off your lights when leaving conference rooms and your work space, especially at the end of the day.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure. 22

23. Explore an Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plant
Bay Door – Close bays and doors when not in use to prevent loss of heat or cooled air.
Motor – Maintain motors. Create a motor management plan, and use the right-sized motor for the application. Install variable frequency drives for fluctuating loads, and replace old motors with premium efficiency motors.
Energy Management – Develop an energy management program. Plants with sound energy management practices save more energy. Use EPA’s ENERGY STAR Facility Energy Assessment tool to evaluate your energy management practices!
Light switch – Don’t overlook lighting in plants. It is a great opportunity for energy savings. Turn off lights when not in use, and install lighting controls.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure. 23

24. Explore an Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plant
You – You can make a difference by getting involved! Create an Energy Team with your co-workers. Set a goal to make your plant more energy-efficient. Encourage your company to take the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry and adopt a goal to improve energy efficiency by 10% within 5 years. Order brochures and posters from EPA to promote saving energy in your workplace.
Exhaust System – Don’t blow money out the vent! Exhaust systems are big energy users. Turn them off when not needed. Add variable frequency drives to fan motors.
Compressed Air Pipe – Did you know that tiny leaks in compressed air systems can cost hundreds of dollars extra each year? Compressed air is the most expensive plant utility! Repair leaks regularly, use compressed air only for critical uses, reduce pressure where possible, and monitor compressor performance.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure. 24

25. Explore an Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plant
Boiler – Tune your boilers. Install or improve existing insulation. Consider an economizer to recover waste heat.
Lighting – If some work spaces seem too bright, they may be over lit. Talk to your energy and safety teams about optimizing lighting levels and upgrading lights with more efficient technology.
Power Switch – Turn off equipment during non-production periods. Walk the plant when it is down for maintenance, at night, and during other off hours to see what can be shut down when not in use (lighting, motors, etc.). Create shutdown procedures, train employees on how to use them, and make sure they are followed.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure. 25

26. Explore an Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plant
Monitor/ computer – Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified computers and enable power management settings on your computer and monitor so they automatically enter a low-power mode when not in use.
Steam Trap – If your plant uses steam, odds are that 10% of your steam traps are failing—wasting energy and money! Maintain steam traps regularly and know how to identify non-performing traps.
*Note to presenter: Click the mouse to see details about each efficiency measure. 26

27. Tips for Saving Energy at Work
Use the ENERGY STAR power management settings on your computer and a power strip as a central “turn off” point.
Unplug electronics once they are charged.
Replace the light bulb in your desk lamp with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, and turn off lights when you leave.
Keep air vents clear of paper, files, and office supplies.
Create a Green Team with your co-workers.
*Note to presenter: Hand out tip cards if you’ve printed them out or ordered them from EPA. Briefly review the tips with the group. 27

28. Tips for Saving Energy at Home
Replace your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lights.
Use a programmable thermostat.
Look for the ENERGY STAR when buying home appliances, electronics, and heating and cooling systems.
Find and seal air leaks to the outside.
Take the ENERGY STAR pledge.
*Note to presenter: Hand out tip cards if you’ve printed them out or ordered them from EPA. Briefly review the tips with the group. 28

29. Create a Green Team What is a Green Team? Why a Green Team?
A group of people from across the organization who want to create a greener workplace.
Why a Green Team?
A team approach helps build momentum for positive change and improves buy-in from all levels of the organization.
Empowers staff to address energy efficiency issues directly.
One way to jumpstart energy savings is to create a green team. A green team should include members from across the organization, who work together to tackle energy efficiency issues directly or with the help of senior management.
*Note to presenter: Hand out copies of the Green Team checklist if you ordered or printed them out, and briefly review steps.

30. What Our Green Team Can Accomplish
Identify areas for improvement.
Brainstorm energy efficiency steps to take in our office.
Which ideas from the tip card and ENERGY work the factory tools can we apply now individually?
What ideas should the team tackle?
What ideas might need support from senior management?
Others?
*Note to presenter: Consider customizing this slide with ideas specific to your organization to stimulate conversation. During the discussion, try to gather a specific list of items on which future efficiency efforts can focus.

31. Get Started Determine Green Team first steps:
Identify interested coworkers and candidate members.
Schedule a kick-off meeting.
Consider how to win company support for:
Becoming an ENERGY STAR partner.
Taking the ENERGY STAR Challenge.
*Note to presenter: Consider customizing this slide with ideas specific to your organization to stimulate conversation. During the discussion, try to gather a specific set of action items and next steps to help move energy efficiency efforts forward after the session.

32. Other Steps You Can Take to Save Energy
*Note to presenter: If time and interest allow, consider reviewing additional ways employees can save energy and money outside the workplace. Otherwise, delete slides and complete the quiz as a review.

33. Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR
In addition to taking steps inside the workplace, there are many other ways for you and your family to save energy at home, at work, and in your community.
First, Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR is a national movement encouraging all Americans to join with millions of others and take small, individual steps that make a big difference in protecting our climate.
The ENERGY STAR Pledge includes everyday actions, such as enabling your computer to power down when not in use, properly programming your thermostat, and more—actions individuals and organizations can take to save energy, save money, and help protect the environment.

34. Look for the ENERGY STAR
In addition, look for the ENERGY STAR the next time you stay in a hotel or go shopping.

35. Find ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings in Your Area
You can use the ENERGY STAR labeled building registry to find buildings in your area that have earned the ENERGY STAR.

36. Find ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings in Your Area
By entering your city, state, or zip code, you can also find a map of those buildings near you or anywhere else in the country that have earned the ENERGY STAR and use an average of 35 percent less energy than similar buildings nationwide.

37. Kids Can Help, Too Visit the ENERGY STAR Kids’ Site
Join Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax to learn fun ways kids can save energy and help protect the environment.
Interactive games, puzzles, quizzes, brainteasers, and stories.
You can get your family involved, too. Visit the ENERGY STAR Kids’ site with your child to learn fun ways to save energy and help protect the environment. The site features a host of interactive games, puzzles, quizzes, brainteasers, and stories to make learning about energy efficiency fun and entertaining.

38. Test Your Energy IQ www.energystar.gov/work 38
*Note to presenter: To add an interactive element and reinforce the information presented, complete the Bring Your Green to Work quiz. If you have Internet access, you can complete the quiz online and have attendees call out answers. Or, you can print out the quiz questions, review the answers out loud after everyone is finished, and recognize top scorers.
Consider giving out small prizes to help reinforce the messages (free ENERGY STAR magnets or posters ordered from EPA, ENERGY STAR qualified CFL desk light bulbs, etc.) 38

39. For more information, please contact:
Organization contact:
Your name
Phone #
address
EPA’s ENERGY STAR program
1.888.STAR.YES