Green audio-visual systems – ecology and sustainability in your office space
2022 | juneGreen audio-visual systems – ecology and sustainability in your office space
Modern societies are more and more concerned about climate changes that are happening as we speak. An increase of awareness and interest in environment protection, as well as sustainability in general, influences people’s choices every day. These issues cannot be ignored and AV industry should also focus on reducing the negative impact of technology on the environment.
When choosing an AV integrator, it is worth to check if they can manage the audio-visual system design and implementation process with sustainability in mind. Your selected AV integrator should not only propose AV systems that support your ESG and CSR priorities. When introducing your AV integrator in an early stage of the office project, they can plan solutions that will minimise the negative impact of technology on the environment.
Power supply for AV equipment
Limiting the use of batteries and power supply is an important matter from the environmental point of view. Engaging AV integrator in an early stage of your project, will enable them to plan effective power supply and limit the use of batteries, in collaboration with other building installations – i.e. PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology is a great example of such solution.
Limiting electric energy uptake is not only ecological, but a financial aim as well – so important for every organisation. There are various methods of saving Energy and, thanks to an appropriate AV system design, it is possible to fulfil it. Using presence sensors in the conference rooms is a very popular solution in this regard – meeting room automation. Once the participants leave the room, lights and AV devices automatically switch off, which prevents unnecessary energy usage, when the room is not in use. Implementing automation and remote room AV system management allows for an electric power cut-off for AV devices and lamps, at a specified time or after finishing work. The organisation can be sure that electric power is not used unnecessarily in the evenings and during weekends, which supports ESG and CSR priorities and has positive impact on electricity bills cost savings.
Presence sensors used in the meeting room automation can also support room temperature regulation functionality, based on a number of people present in the room – this will have impact not only on the energy saving, but also on the comfort of the meeting participants.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI)
Solutions utilising artificial intelligence (AI) can offer great functionalities when integrated with a building infrastructure, which will also have a positive impact on the energy result of the office or the building. When using high CO2 level sensors, the system integrated with ventilation mechanism can automatically turn on or adjust the air-conditioning in a specific room, or even open the windows in a specific area. This is a brilliant touchless function increasing comfort of the staff and supporting H&S and sustainability policies of the organisation.
Another AI solution integrated with the building management system, is light sensors – once daylight is detected on a particular wall lor in a defined space, the system activates window blinds to improve the quality of the presentation in the conference room.
Environmentally conscious manufacturers
A very important factor in the office AV system design is selection of devices produced by manufacturers, who have sustainability policy in place and adhere to these in their production process. There is a number of certificates that confirm environmental responsibility in this industry, such as: ENERGY STAR©, EEC, RoHS, REACH, WEEE, ISO 14 001. Before selecting a particular manufacturer, it is also worth to check their electrical waste management policy and procedures.
Videoconferencing and standardisation of AV systems
Office audio-visual standardisation also impacts positive strategies from the sustainability and ESG perspective. Having one unified standard of AV system in the whole office (or even all offices), enables strategic purchase planning and spare parts management. This means that orders can be placed with a smaller group of distributors, logistics is planned better, requires less transportation and delivery options, and reduces the risk of buying parts that will not be used. Thanks to that, the amount of transport and required packaging can be reduced as well, which has positive environmental impact.
It is important to emphasise the importance of video-conferencing systems in the sustainability credentials of organisations, and their positive impact on the natural environment. Organising remote meetings reduces the number of business trips – choosing a video-conference means reduction in the use of natural resources and limiting air pollution.
Your AV Integrator will help you in creating a sustainable audio-visual infrastructure, that will increase the effectiveness of your office and have minimal negative impact on environment. Before you choose your AV partner, make sure they are supporting similar environmental priorities and care about sustainability, just like you do.
When designing audio-visual systems, A+V experts choose solutions that are aligned with our sustainability credentials and support ecology. If you wish to have a sustainable AV system in your organisation, get in touch with us!