Kuala Lumpur is making a strong push for sustainable working environments as the city is striving to achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. According to recent data, the proportion of green certified Grade A office stock rose from 16 to 41 percent in 2023. As more companies are starting to realize that integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their business can lead to boosted reputation and higher productivity, KL employees can look forward to working in an environmentally responsible workplace in the coming years.
Green certified office spaces are only the starting point in the transition to net zero workplaces. In the midst of building healthier work hubs, companies should also encourage the use of eco-friendly tech solutions. Switching to energy-saving devices, such as green PCs and laptops, not only leads to significant cost savings, but it also lowers an organization’s carbon footprint. Here are a few ways to build an eco-conscious PC for your office.
Sustainable PC Building Practices
Sustainability has become a trend in the electronics industry, and it’s why there are plenty of environmentally-friendly PCs and laptops in the market today. Many employees in top organizations are using green tools like these, and the PCs and laptops are securely stored, serviced and repaired, and tracked at all times. Maintaining and knowing the location of devices, as well as how they’re used, can help to enhance security and environmental responsibility in the workplace. Companies that deploy eco-friendly devices to workers should definitely step up their tech inventory practices so that they can be optimized and allocated where needed most.
If your startup doesn’t have the funds to invest in new environmentally-friendly PCs, think about purchasing gently used or refurbished components whenever possible to reduce manufacturing waste. A secondhand monitor, keyboard, or mouse are generally safe to purchase, but get them from a physical shop since you’ll need to test them to check if they’re working well. For crucial components such as a CPU or PSU, it may be better to buy the latest models instead of getting refurbished ones. New models are usually more energy efficient, and they can make your PC more effective at handling multiple applications running at the same time.
Choose Eco-Friendly Components
When building an office PC, make it a point to choose components that are designed to use less energy. For instance, when choosing a CPU and GPU, avoid buying the most high end ones since these are usually meant for gaming, and they consume a lot of electricity. A typical gaming GPU can use more than 450W, while a gaming CPU can use about 150W or more. Instead, pick an energy-efficient CPU with integrated graphics, like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G. This is a budget-friendly choice that’s perfect for doing office tasks. If you prefer an Intel CPU, there’s the Intel Core-i5 11400, a cost-effective model which is designed for multitasking. This CPU also comes with a built-in cooler so you don’t have to buy a separate one to keep your PC from overheating.
As for the monitor, note that this is the component that consumes the most power after a CPU, so pick one with an ENERGY STAR certification to reduce energy use. Some certified, energy-efficient monitors to consider include the Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor, Acer’s PM Series Portable Monitor, and Samsung’s ViewFinity S7 Monitor. Lastly, for the PSU, it’s recommended to choose one with an 80 Plus Gold, Platinum, or Titanium certification. These ratings indicate that the PSU will make your PC more efficient so it doesn’t overheat or waste electricity.
Building eco-friendly PCs can reduce your company’s impact on the planet. Consider these tips to build green PCs and have a more sustainable and productive office environment.
