certified equipment in any category.
"That stamp of approval is available now on just about every kind of office appliance," said Wendy Pulling, director of environmental policy at Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Employees can help by turning off their computers and other office equipment at night, not just logging off. They should shut off the power strips and surge protectors as well, as most plugged-in devices continue using electricity even after being switched off.
Finally, businesses that own cars -- either a few or a whole fleet -- can buy fuel-saving hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius. Those that need trucks can use biodiesel for fuel. Although engines burning biodiesel still produce carbon dioxide, the fuel is made from plants that soak up some of that gas from the atmosphere. And biodiesel costs don't swing up and down with the price of crude oil.
Businesses that own their work space can take all the same steps, of course.
But they can also go much further. They can use insulating windowpanes or apply thermal film to the windows. They can examine their building's heating and cooling ducts to look for leaks. Depending on the building, they can even install solar panels, which supply power without generating greenhouse gas.
Businesses don't have to figure out all these things on their own.
PG&E for example, offers free energy audits, which look at a shop or office's total energy use and suggest steps to cut it.
The auditor can also recommend government rebates for business owners who buy more efficient equipment or go solar. For example, incentives from California and the federal government, combined, can cover up to half the cost of installing solar panels on a commercial building, according to the California Energy Commission.
The green office
All shops and offices produce greenhouse gas because they use electricity from fossil-fuel power plants. But they can cut both the power they use and the global-warming emissions involved. Here are some suggestions:
Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Arrange work spaces to make the most of daylight, and install motion sensors on the lighting. Turn off the lights when a room is not in use.
Buy energy-efficient computers, copiers and other office appliances certified by the federal government's Energy Star program.
For businesses that own vehicles, buy hybrid cars or trucks that can use biodiesel.
The federal government's Energy Star program certifies energy-efficient office equipment. The program's web site, www.energystar.gov, lists computers, faxes and copiers that meet its standards.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. offers free energy audits to businesses that want to cut power use. The company also can help businesses apply for rebates on energy-efficient equipment. For more information, visit www.pge.com/biz/rebates/small_business/index.html.
Flex Your Power, a partnership of California utilities and government agencies, offers tips for improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings, old and new. Visit www.fypower.org/com.
Both California and the federal government offer financial incentives to install solar panels on commercial buildings. For more information, check www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.