Picture this: A bustling shared business environment where employees collaborate and clients come and go, leaving an endless stream of activity in common spaces like lobbies, hallways, meeting rooms, and break areas. These shared spaces represent the lifeblood of your business’s operations. But when the workday is over and the lights stay glaringly on overnight, you’re not just wasting energy—you’re wasting money, resources, and damaging your environmental reputation.
Leaving common area lights on when they’re not needed may seem like a small oversight, but it comes with big consequences. For shared businesses, establishing smarter lighting policies is not only essential for energy conservation but also for cutting costs and demonstrating social responsibility. This blog will explore why it’s crucial to address common area lighting and how shared businesses can take proactive steps to make their operations more energy-efficient.
The True Cost of Arrogant Lighting Habits
Energy Consumption Adds Up Fast
Did you know that lighting accounts for roughly 17-20% of electricity usage in commercial spaces? When common area lights are unnecessarily kept on in shared business environments, the energy drain quickly accumulates. Multiply this by long nights, weekends, and holidays, and we’re talking about massive energy wastage.
Financial Waste That Hits Hard
Keeping the lights on when they’re not needed is essentially like burning money. A single fluorescent light fixture left on overnight can cost around $50-$70 per year per bulb in electricity. Now imagine a shared office, co-working space, or retail complex with dozens (or even hundreds) of light fixtures those numbers add up quickly.
Environmental Impact
Beyond financial losses, there’s an undeniable environmental toll. Energy wasted from excessive lighting increases carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), conserving energy through better lighting habits can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For businesses trying to uphold sustainable or eco-conscious brand values, this wastefulness flies directly in the face of their efforts.
Brand Reputation Matters
Shared businesses often operate under the lens of public scrutiny. Clients, employees, and even partners value sustainable operations more than ever. Failing to address wasteful energy practices such as leaving common area lights on can harm your reputation as an environmentally responsible enterprise.
Benefits of Smarter Lighting Policies in Shared Workspaces
1. Cost Efficiency
Energy-efficient lighting habits can slash operational costs by up to 40%, according to energy conservation studies. Switching to LED lights and installing motion sensors means better energy use without compromising functionality.
2. Improving Sustainability Goals
Adopting responsible lighting policies positions your brand as a forward-thinking, eco-conscious leader. Achieving measurable energy reductions can also help meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.
3. Building a Culture of Responsibility
Encouraging employees and tenants to be mindful of lighting usage fosters a shared sense of accountability. This small behavioral change can create ripples, aligning everyone behind energy-saving goals.
4. Better Aesthetics and Ambiance
Interestingly, good lighting management doesn’t just save energy—it can elevate the ambiance of your space. Automated lighting can adjust brightness and color temperatures to match the time of day, creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.
5. Compliance with Regulations
Many cities and countries impose energy use restrictions under building codes and green initiatives. Implementing an efficient lighting policy helps ensure compliance while avoiding potential fines.
How Your Shared Business Can Take Action
Step 1: Audit Your Current Lighting Setup
Before jumping straight into solutions, assess your current lighting use. Identify areas where lights are left on unnecessarily, such as hallways, restrooms, or meeting rooms. Use smart meters to measure energy usage in real-time shared business will not leave on common area lights.
Step 2: Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Replace traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs with LED lights, which use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer. While the initial investment is higher, the long-term savings more than justify the cost.
Step 3: Install Motion Sensors and Timers
Invest in motion-activated lighting systems or timers to ensure that lights turn off automatically in unused areas. For shared workplaces, this is particularly effective in hallways, restrooms, or seldom-used conference rooms.
Step 4: Adopt Smart Lighting Systems
Take automation to the next level with smart lighting technologies. Systems like Philips Hue or Lutron allow you to control lighting remotely through an app, schedule on/off times, and adjust lighting levels for different zones.
Step 5: Engage Employees and Partners
Creating energy-saving habits requires everyone to be on the same wavelength. Encourage employees or tenants to switch off lights when leaving a room. Place reminder signs in shared spaces as gentle nudges.
Step 6: Monitor Progress and Celebrate Wins
Track your energy usage periodically to measure the impact of your efforts. Share progress updates with employees and tenants to keep motivation high. Did you save $10,000 on energy costs this quarter? Celebrate it!
Case Study Spotlight
Green Light Co-Working
Based in New York City, Green Light Co-Working decided to tackle their wasted lighting issue early on. After implementing LED lights, motion sensors, and a “lights-out after-hours” policy, they saw a 38% reduction in their monthly energy bills. Beyond cost savings, their efforts helped them achieve LEED Silver Certification and earned praise from tenants committed to sustainability.
Going Beyond Lighting
Updating your lighting policies is a strong start, but shared businesses can explore other steps to maximize energy efficiency:
- Install energy-efficient HVAC systems
- Invest in solar panels for backup energy
- Use Energy Star-rated appliances
- Encourage remote work policies to reduce overall office usage
- shared business will not leave on common area lights
Turning Off Lights Isn’t Just Smart It’s Essential
Reducing wasteful lighting habits isn’t just about saving money (though, who doesn’t love that? It’s about showing employees, clients, and partners that your business is forward-thinking, responsible, and aligned with the values of today’s environmentally-conscious consumer.
