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How to Set Up a Green Office in Your Garage 
How to Set Up a Green Office in Your Garage
Some of the biggest
names in business all started out with a discreet garage office.
Amazon.com's founder, Jeff Bezos, built his empire from the garage of
his two-bedroom home. Google has a similar story. The leading Internet
search giants started up over a decade ago when co-founders Larry Page
and Sergey Brin rented a garage space to work out of. Hewlett Packard,
Apple, HCL and Borland all share the same stories.
Yet, most
small businesses fail within the first year. The mistake that most small
businesses make is to invest in things that don't offer them any kind
of real return. Office products, new computers, expensive office spaces,
are all classic money drainers. The amount normally spent here should
be redirected to your business, in investments, brand identity, market
analysis, research and networking -- all things that can get you more
informed and your business more exposure.
When launching a garage
startup, keep it simple. Focus on functionality and cost-effectiveness;
there are a few important factors to consider in order to have your
space be both effective and eco-friendly. Considering that 40% of houses
were built prior to the era of energy efficiency, it's definitely worth
taking a moment to address possible gaps in your garage office.
Getting
Your Garage Eco-Ready:
Salvage Furniture
The key here is to
think "refurbish and repair." Amazon's Jeff Bezos crafted his first set
of office tables from wooden doors, angle brackets, and two-by-four
pieces of lumber from Home Depot. The idea is to save money and
resources by using what you have to create a makeshift environment that
is both functional and eco-friendly. Try reupholstering old sofas and
chairs, creating makeshift desks, or staining or painting furniture to
give it a new look. The possibilities are endless if you pair
imagination with a little bit of elbow grease. After all, just because
you're working in a garage office, doesn't mean it has to feel like it.
Insulate
Your Garage
Adding a couple inches of insulation will help keep
outside noise at bay (think cars, noisy neighbors, gardeners), which is
particularly important if you expect to regularly be on the phone with
clients or vendors.
A possible solution here is the use of spray
foam insulation, which is definitely something to consider if you're
based in the northern or eastern states. Depending on the company
providing the foaming services, foams are also available in eco-friendly
medium density polyurethane.
Aside from insulating walls, you
may also want to consider your garage doors. Considering that most doors
are large enough to take up an entire wall, and are made of plastic or
basic metals, this is definitely an area to consider tackling.
Additionally,
homeowners who purchase an energy-efficient garage door now through
December 31, 2010 may qualify for $1,500 in federal tax credits -- not
to mention the purchase could also be marked up as a business expense.
But if your budget is a modest one, you still have the option for a DIY
garage insulation.
Get Through the Winter
A regulated
temperature plays a big part in creating a conducive work environment.
Regardless of where you are, winters are one of the biggest challenges
for a garage office.
A higher efficiency rating (contrasted
against the high and rising cost of natural gas), makes electric heaters
the go-to solution for heating garage offices. Electric heaters also
protect against carbon dioxide poisoning. Unlike natural gas furnaces,
with electric garage heaters you don't have to worry about deadly gas
leaks. And since electric heaters don't produce emissions, they're
definitely the green choice for any eco-minded office.
Many
cities and states also offer incentive programs to homeowners who switch
out traditional heating for electric heaters. Additionally, many
utility companies offer similar perks to those who heat with electricity
rather than natural gas.
The next step in any eco-conscious
garage office involves the same type of thinking that goes into any
other sort of green office.
Read more:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/green-garage-office-461009#ixzz0TVdAsmLv
Source: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/green-garage...
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