Conserving energy for a greener Dover Published Nov. 5, 2008 By April Stewart 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Dover Air Force Base, Del. -- The buildings where we work, shop, play and learn account for nearly half of the nation's energy use. The workplace offers a unique opportunity for people to make a significant impact by making many of the same green choices at work that are used in the home. There are some easy ways Team Dover can conserve energy, such as using the power management settings on your computer and monitor so they go into power save mode when not in use. Also use a power strip as a central 'turn off' point when using equipment to completely disconnect the power supply. Electronics such as cell phones and laptops should be unplugged once they are charged. Adapters plugged into outlets use energy even if they are not charging. Lighting consumes 25 - 30 percent of energy in commercial buildings. Improving lighting systems can reduce electricity consumption and improve the comfort of occupants in the building. When leaving an office for a long period of time, the lights can be turned off to save energy and money. Keep air vents clear of paper, files, and office supplies. It takes as much as 25 percent more energy to pump air into the workspace if the vents are blocked. Just implementing these few tips can cut down on the amount of energy used around the office to create a more 'green-friendly' environment.