Honeywell Survey: Most U.S. Office Workers Feel Responsible For Office Energy Use; Few Unplug Their Devices

A new Honeywell survey conducted with Wakefield Research reveals Americans' attitudes and behaviors toward energy use in the workplace.

What U.S. Office Workers Said

The survey reveals four-in-five (81%) U.S. office professionals feel equal or greater responsibility compared to their employer for managing office energy use. While a majority of office professionals (62%) surveyed understand that devices consume power in the office when they’re plugged in but not being used, most aren’t taking action: less than half (43%) regularly unplug their devices.

Hybrid Work Makes Little Plugs Big Energy Hogs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently unveiled a nationwide standard to reduce carbon emissions from commercial and residential buildings, which are responsible for 37% of carbon emissions. Plug loads – which refers to energy that is used by devices that are plugged into an outlet – are a major contributor, accounting for 25% to 50% of a building’s overall energy consumption.

Everyday office devices including vending machines, copiers, coffee makers, computers and more are plugged in daily and can use significant amounts of energy. The issue is exacerbated by hybrid work schedules.

The DOE standard reflects a broader trend of emerging laws and policies targeting the reduction of buildings' environmental impact. In some states like California, new laws have cropped up around plug loads. Title 24 requires plug load controls for buildings to help them improve energy efficiency.

Gen-Z: The “Unplug Heroes”

Honeywell’s survey found Gen-Z office workers were the most likely to take action to curb their impact, with 61% regularly unplugging devices before leaving the office or when they’re not in use. Compare that to 75% of Boomers and 68% of Gen X workers who only unplug devices sporadically for things like troubleshooting or extended absences, if they do so at all.

Mythbusting

The Honeywell survey also found that more than a third of U.S. office workers (38%) incorrectly believe devices don’t use power anytime they are plugged in. Further, 39% believe the myth that turning a device off and on uses more power than letting it sit idle.

Whose Responsibility Is It?

As the majority of U.S. office workers don’t unplug devices in the office, building owners are left to figure out how to control plug loads and rein in unnecessary energy waste.

Honeywell’s Connected Power solution automates a building’s energy usage at the plug level and allows buildings to autonomously power down unused outlets based on space usage schedules or occupancy data.

Survey Methodology 

The Honeywell Connected Power Survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, gathered responses from 1,000 U.S. office professionals working in office buildings with a minimum capacity of 50 employees. The survey took place between May 30th and June 5th, 2024, and was administered via an e-mail invitation and an online questionnaire.