If you’re working from home full-time or part-time, combined with more modern devices, apps and conveniences, your home can be more energy efficient than ever. A few small steps can let you save energy, save money on energy bills and run your home – whether it’s also your office or not – comfortably. If you’re spending more time at home, you could use more energy. The power usage of your home could be going up, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some suggestions and tips for how to save money on power while working from home.
Unplug Electronics You Aren’t Using
You might not know of vampire devices that suck electricity even when they’re not in use, even if they’re off, but remaining plugged in. So unplug any device that’s easy and convenient to unplug if you won’t use it for a while.
Computers, monitors, TVs and printers are examples of devices that use power even if they’re off. This adds up to a percentage of your power bill. It’s estimated to cost a household about $60 a year.
Don’t just turn off electronics. Unplug electronics when you can. Sometimes we just leave TVs or monitors on all the time, then it’s an unnecessary distraction to boot. So it creates energy inefficiency and wastes a little of our time and attention, too.
Use Natural Light and Temperatures
Letting natural sunlight into your home has a number of benefits. It lets you save on turning lights on. It gives natural ambient heat for the months of the year where that makes sense. Some will say the brighter, more pleasant atmosphere leads to a better mood and more productive day.
When the weather truly cooperates, and if it fits your work needs, you can even consider working alfresco.
If you open blinds and curtains up and let sunlight in, the spaces you will need extra, man-made, light will be smaller and needed for less of the day.
In the winter, the helping heat from sunlight is obvious. In warmer seasons, you can still let light in while using blinds and curtains to create shade. Shade combined with ceiling fans can help your air conditioning out a great deal.
Use Power Strips Correctly
Power strips can have multiple positives if you use them the way they’re meant to be used. Smart power strips let you cut multiple devices off at once, which goes to saving energy on vampire devices. Electronics may still use energy constantly even in standby modes or while turned off. Idle power usage is about 10 percent of a home’s energy use.
Upgrading to Energy Efficient Devices
Appliances and electronics all over the home are smarter on energy than ever. Office devices or equipment is the same. There is Energy Star-certified office equipment. On some electronic devices, the energy savings is now up to about 75%.
Another area to consider is the average, new laptop versus an older laptop or desktop. A modern laptop may use about 25% of the energy of a desktop of only a few years back. If you’re thinking about a new computer, and can work with a laptop, this can be a significant help.
Change a Computer’s Settings
Even while using a computer, the settings you have on it can make a difference in energy efficiency. Be sure to set the sleep mode to work and be the most efficient. Computers now have energy-saving modes and settings which are simple to use. You maybe just haven’t looked or thought of it. Using a computer a little smarter can save you about $100 a year in power bills.
Smart, Small Temperature Changes
The largest energy user in any home is the heating and cooling system. This is the biggest user, which means it’s the biggest area to save on.
A smart or programmable thermostat will help you set your system to be at its most efficient. Ceiling fans, windows and space heating/cooling units are some potential ideas. For every degree you have it warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter, most estimates say it’s a savings of about 6% per degree on an energy bill.
Think about Solar
Electric solar power systems can aid you in saving energy and expenses by producing all-natural, sustainable electricity. Solar panels likewise feature the advantages of financial security in the case of future power rate increases, safety during larger economic crises or other events or natural disasters in which an alternate power source could be very valuable. In some areas, installing solar panels can give you tax credits or other government/tax benefits.
Make Your Energy Bill Fixed
Working from home or just more time at home can increase an energy bill. Maybe your routine means some months or seasons are bigger energy users than others. It could well be the case in summers, and running the AC a ton, around these parts. Maybe more people are around most summers or most Novembers and Decembers. To stop from having spikes on some electric bills, then paying less on others, some utility companies offer fixed-price payment plans. It’s worth looking into to see your options.
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