Some useful definitions used when talking about the enGauge system from mySmart CTI

• NABERS is the National Building Environmental Rating Scheme, NABERS ratings are generally applicable to existing buildings
• GBCA is the Green Building Council of Australia this organisation certifies Green Star Ratings for new buildings
• Watt (W) is a measure of electrical power the rate of doing work of one joule per second (1W=1J/s)
• Kilowatt hour (kWh) a measure of power – one kilowatt being used for a period of one hour
• Kilowatt (kW) the commercial unit of electrical power: 1000 Watts (W)
• Energy is the capacity of a physical system to do work, the electrical term commonly used is kilowatt hours (kWh)
• Joule (J) is the international unit for energy, gas is represented in joules
• One kilowatt hour (kWh) is equivalent to 3,600,000 joules (J) or 3.6MJ
• Embodied energy is the amount of energy required to make a product from extraction, manufacture, package, transport, installation and disposal
• Standby power is electric power consumed by appliances while switched off or in standby mode, known as vampire power, phantom load or leaking electricity
• Sustainability is the practice of minimising impact on the environment; a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely
• ABARE is the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics, and Australian government economic research agency
• Sequestration it the removal of CO2 from our atmosphere through the biologically process of photosynthesis in plants and trees or geological process of carbon capture and storage
• Carbon offset is the practice of investing in carbon-sequestering activities including tree planting, renewable energy, energy conservation & methane capture
• Greenhouse gas is the collective term for various gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, including: CO₂, CO, CH₄, N₂O, CF₄, C₂F₆, SF₆, PFC & HFC
• Global Warming Potential is the density of greenhouse gases in comparison to CO2; methane has a GWP of 23, 582 kg of methane = 13.4 tonnes CO2

Some useful tips, ideas and facts that will help you to reduce your impact on the environment, reduce carbon emissions, save on utility costs, act in a sustainable manner and reduce your carbon footprint.

Tips and ideas to Save Energy Costs

Save energy

• by turning off electrical equipment when not in use especially overnight and at weekends
• Save costs associated with lighting - when painting a room use light colours that reflect natural light
• use standby mode on electrical equipment during the day if inconvenient to turn off, for example photocopiers and printers
• use desk or standard lamps where most light is needed, so less or no other lighting is required in the rest of the room
• Keep equipment maintained and in good working order and save on power consumption
• on a hot day raise the air conditioning a couple of degrees to 24 or 25 to reduce load on the system
• utilise office equipment during off peak periods, organise or program jobs to be completed at an appropriate time
• keep your exterior and freight access doors closed as much as possible when air-conditioning or heating is switched on
• During winter open window blinds to warm rooms from direct sunlight and save on heating costs
• If you use a ceiling fan in summer reverse the direction in winter to circulate warm air from the ceiling
• on a cold day reduce the heating to 20 or 21 degrees to reduce load on the system
• avoid running air conditioning on high airflow, use medium or low flow option this can save up to 50% in running costs
• when boiling water in a kettle only boil as much water as you need
• Make sure air ventilation filters and ducts are clean to ensure the air conditioning system is running efficiently
• In summer close blinds to keep out direct sunlight and help reduce load on the air-conditioning system
• if you have opening windows, open to ventilate on suitable days instead of using air conditioning
• If an option, use a fan instead of air conditioning, and save money
• does your PC have an energy saving function, if it does set it up to turn off the monitor and hard disk after a set period of time
• Turn off heating and air conditioning on leaving the building or your level if you are last to leave
• Install weather stripping around doors and windows; reduce air leak and associated heating and cooling costs
• by insulating walls and ceilings if easy to do so
• turn off unneeded lights and where possible use natural light
• if by yourself in the office after hours use a portable heater or fan, to heat or cool the immediate area instead of running the air-conditioning
• try not to over light non critical areas and avoid lighting unoccupied areas
• replace incandescent globes with energy efficient compact fluorescent globes
• Replace 50W down light lamps with energy efficient 35W lamps to reduce energy costs by up to 40%, while maintaining same light output
• fluoro tubes with blackened ends are past economic life, replace with tri-phosphor tubes and save money
• Program air-conditioning to turn off automatically at specified times and only supply service to occupied areas
• choose the eco wash button on your dishwasher and display a sign to encourage other users to follow your lead
• always make sure the dishwasher is full of dishes before you set the eco wash cycle
• adjust down the brightness on your PC monitor and use a black background for screen savers as white pixels are most energised
• turn the thermostat down on hot water units to lowest possible setting to reduce associated heating costs
• if replacing hot water systems, enquire about instantaneous gas, heat pump or solar to reduce carbon emissions and save money
• Make sure hot water piping is insulated to reduce heat loss and associated energy cost
• use timer switches to turn equipment on or off at specified times
• Utilities - check shoulder and off-peak times to avoid using equipment during peak periods and save money
• install movement sensors in rooms not frequently used to control lighting and save money
• use solar film or louvers on windows to block heat and glare from the sun and enhance occupant comfort
• set fridge and freezer temperatures to suit season
• if freezer is not frost free, defrost regularly to ensure running efficiently
• If you don’t require a light in a bank of lights – remove the lamp, globe or tube
• Are portable fans/heaters used in conjunction with heating or air/conditioning? Think about moving staff to a more comfortable position and save energy
• Distribute meeting documents electronically and save paper, time and energy
• Instead of turning the heating up wear an extra layer of clothing to keep warm
• Instead of turning the air conditioning up remove a layer of clothing
• Save energy - always remove chargers from the power socket when charging is complete they still pull a phantom load
• Save energy - install standby energy saving power boards for suitable electrical equipment to reduce phantom load power loss
• Install energy efficient light bulbs, lower wattage means lower energy consumption and therefore running costs
• Save energy - install flow restrictors and aerators on hot water taps to reduce costs associated with heating the water
• Fix leaking hot water taps and save on energy costs associated with heating the wasted water, 1 drop each second = 15,000 litres/year
• Save energy - send faxes electronically and save paper, printing and copying costs

Tips and ideas to Save Water

• Save water - always make sure the dishwasher is full of dishes before you set the eco wash cycle
• Check if you are eligible for rebates such as the commercial hot water rebate offer
• Consider using recycled water for water features
• Save water – plant indigenous flora in your landscape as they require less water than many introduced species
• Save water at the car wash - use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• Save water - check for leaking pipes and hoses and reduce water wastage
• Save water - place the plug in the sink when you wash your hands instead of using continual running water
• Save water by replacing any leaking tap washers as soon as you notice a leaking tap
• Save water - don’t run water until it is cool enough to drink – keep a water container in the fridge
• Save water - plug the sink when rinsing vegetables, fruit or dishes try and avoid using running water from the tap
• Save water and install a AAA rated showerhead; save up to 10 litres of water a minute and associated water heating costs
• Save water – when cleaning use a bucket where possible, instead of running tap water
• Save water – AAA rated taps help to reduce pressure splashing, they are also more efficient than ordinary taps due to low flow design and aerators
• Save water - install flow restrictors and aerators on taps to reduce water use
• Fix leaking taps and save on water costs, 1 water droplet dripping each second = 15,000 litres/year

Tips and ideas to Save Waste and reduce Landfill

• Reduce organic waste going to land fill invest in a worm farm
• Set the printer and photocopier to double sided printing as default to avoid wasting paper
• Bring your lunch to work from home as it is cheaper and produces less solid waste than buying takeaway food
• Don’t upgrade to new products if the current product functions well, replace when no longer functional, obsolete or broken to extend product life and reduce waste
• Reduce waste by reusing packaging, envelopes, bags and the like, create an area where people can store and collect these items for re-use
• Purchase re-writable disks and avoid unnecessary landfill
• Save money and paper - circulate magazines and periodicals around the office to minimize purchasing multiple copies
• Re-use paper only printed on one side for faxes, note pads, photocopies, and draft documents before recycling
• Reduce waste - toner cartridges for photocopiers and printers can often be re-filled check with your supplier if your cartridges can be re-used
• Keep a recycling box close to your desk, you are more likely to use it if is in close proximity to your work area
• Remove general rubbish bins from around each desk, position recycling and waste bins in a prominent area to encourage use of appropriate bin
• Recycle as much as possible to reduce waste, set up dedicated waste collection stations
• If purchasing a take-away coffee take a mug with you and avoid using a disposable cup this helps reduce waste
• Reduce waste - avoid using paper or plastic disposable cups, use a glass or ceramic cup for beverages
• Donate old or obsolete equipment to organisations that can use them or recycle at appropriate centres
• When ordering supplies, consider ordering a smaller amount if there is the possibility of waste
• When purchasing napkins, toilet paper or hand towel choose products made from recycled paper or alternatives such as kenaf or hemp fibre
• Purchase refillable pens instead of disposable pens for the office, less waste and ink refills are often cheaper
• Purchase re-chargeable batteries instead of disposable and reduce hazardous landfill waste
• Purchase products that can be disassembled for reuse or recycled at end of life
• Reduce waste - Instead of purchasing a new product or item, find out if the existing item can be repaired
• If using disposable cups, plates and utensils choose those made from recycled materials or biodegradable bamboo
• Save wasting paper - use e-mail instead of sending a fax or letter if possible
• Save paper - try not to print unnecessary documents; only print required pages or save document in electronic format
• Save paper - scan and save documents in electronic format instead of copying
• Save paper - avoid using cover sheets when sending a fax
• Save paper - print double sided as much correspondence as possible

Save CO2 - Carbon Emissions

• Leaving your desk top computer on 24/7 for one year will result in one tonne of carbon emissions; turn it off when not in use
• If travelling interstate and you require a hire car, consider hiring an alternative fuel vehicle and reduce carbon emissions
• Do you have to travel interstate? Minimise travel by teleconferencing and video conferencing, use technology to communicate
• Instead of driving your car, ride a bike or walk to work, reduce carbon emissions and feel good while getting fit
• Is public transport an option for you, think about leaving your car at home and have stress free trip to work and reduce carbon emissions
• Maintain company vehicles regularly to run at optimal efficiency and reduce carbon emissions
• Does your company have fleet vehicles? Consider purchasing alternative fuel vehicles or vehicles with a low CO2 output and reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage car pooling – set up an on-line registry of interested parties at work and share the cost of getting to work
• Buy on line, use suppliers in the local area as interstate or international deliveries incur high transport costs and contribute to increased carbon emissions
• If available use gas appliances rather than electric as they are cheaper to run and produce less carbon emissions

General Sustainability Tips & Ideas

• Wear warm clothes in winter to reduce costs associated with heating
• Wear light weight clothing in summer to reduce costs associated with cooling
• A plant is a natural air filter; think about placing one on your desk
• Save energy - leaving your desk top computer on 24/7 for one year will use nearly 1000 kW of electricity; turn it off when not in use
• Save energy - Leaving your desk top computer on 24/7 for one year will cost approximately $160, save up to $100 by turning it off when not in use
• Purchase carbon neutral products and services from suppliers; enquire about their environmental practices
• Choose green energy option on your power bill to encourage investment and growth of green power suppliers
• Display energy, water and waste awareness material throughout the building; encourage sustainable and environmental action
• Many cleaning products often contain toxic contaminants that can cause irritation to susceptible people, try eco-friendly cleaning products
• Allow staff access to login remotely and work from home if possible; assess performance rather than attendance
• Offer flexible hours to staff if possible to reduce time spent in vehicles on the road during peak hour times and reduce carbon emissions
• Is your superannuation invested in sustainable investments? Seek advice about your options
• Choose products sourced from renewable (sustainable) resources to lessen your impact on our environment
• Think about using green or eco-cleaning products which are less harmful to our environment
• When choosing venues, hotels and other service industries; use those that have energy, water and waste recycling programs, encourage participation
• Instead of using taxis, encourage staff to use public transport to attend meetings etc. purchase tickets and have timetables on hand for staff to use
• Check diffusers are clean or if old and discoloured replace with prismatic to increase light level and improve occupant comfort
• Check if you are eligible for any environmental government grants – www.business.gov.au
• When replacing equipment look at the star energy ratings; more stars = higher energy efficiency
• Encourage management to set up an incentive scheme to foster ‘green’ ideas and occupant participation
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions and if you have to dress formally keep clothing on hand for this purpose
• A green building is only as good as its occupants, you make the difference by actively involving yourself in green initiatives
• Engage and acknowledge staff contributions to green ideas, create a suggestion box or set up teams to discuss ideas
• How is your company performing – check sustainability objectives and strategies on line and keep up to date with environmental news
• Think about joining a community group involved in sustainable activities or a green industry group
• When doing laundry make sure the washing machine has a full load and save water as well as energy costs
• Save water - when doing laundry check the water level suits the amount of items to be washed
• Avoid thawing frozen food using running water, try and think ahead and remove from freezer for a natural thaw
• Save water - at home in the bathroom, clean the razor or face flannel in a plugged sink with a little water
• Save water - when brushing your teeth, use a glass of water to rinse instead of using running water from the tap
• Choose eco-friendly furniture and floor coverings to avoid off gassing of volatile organic compounds and improve indoor air quality
• Save water – are your toilets dual flush, if not think about changing them over to dual flush it is not as expensive as you think
• If you identify a recycling, energy or water efficient opportunity let management know that way your idea can be implemented

Q. What is the enGauge product from mySmart CTI?

A. an educational tool that disseminates information and feedback on sustainability initiatives within the building and the business to help reinforce behavioural change to make a difference

Q. How does enGauge know how much energy a building uses?

A. the system is connected to the power meters, these meters are then interrogated by the enGauge software, the data is collected and manipulated into an easy to understand format which is displayed as a graph and a related comment.

Q. Why should I get enGauge for my workplace?

A. it will help you reduce energy costs by engaging your staff and occupants in ways to be more sustainable and minimise their impact on the environment. Show your dedication to the environment and minimising impacts of your business. Refer to the  full list of benefits.

Q. Where is a suitable place to position the screen within my building?

A. The best place to position the display in any building is a high traffic area so the most people possible will see it regularily, this maybe the foyer, or a lift lobby if on a level of a building.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. naturally every installation is going to be slightly different, if it is a new build you may expect to pay a fixed price for 12 months then ongoing maintenance, if installation is planned for an existing building this would be a monthly cost. The cost will depend on the components you choose to best suit the requirements for your workplace. Please feel free to contact our sales department for a no obligation quote on 1300 697 627.

Q. What types of buildlings are installing enGauge?

A. Commerical buildings and hotels are the main types of buildings although any building can have a system installed.

Specifically designed for the Hostpitality sector "enGauge for Hotels" has all the features of the commercial building version with the addition of hospitality specific information.

• Automatic Information from PMS and Inncom Room Control System
• Eco Mode Active Guest Information
• Guest Laundry & Waste Information
• Hospitality Specific Water Savings Reinforcement