Working from home is becoming increasingly common, and there can be a lot of advantages of this kind of setup. You can start your own business without worrying about commuting or the overhead costs of renting an office space and all that comes with that.
There are some things to think about when it comes to lowering the costs of your home office even more, however. You don’t want to work from home and then receive a huge utility bill every month, so it’s important to set your office up in a way that’s energy efficient and will not only be greener but also help you save money.
The following are some easy tips you can keep in mind as you create an energy efficient home office.
Set Up Power Management Settings
You may not even think about it, but the electronics you use in your home office can suck up a lot of energy. Your computer, printer and other machinery can be a significant contributor to your overall energy usage and costs, so set them up to move into a low-consumption mode when you’re not using them. For example, you can create settings for when you take a lunch break or when you’re out of your office taking meetings.
According to Energy Star, doing something this simple can cut your costs by $25 to $75 per machine each year.
If you’re in the market for new equipment, try to look for options that are Energy-Star rated as well, and also if you have a desktop, think about switching to a laptop.
Shut Everything Off at Night
If you worked in a conventional office setting, everything would be turned off at night when employees went home. Try to get into the same routine with your home office. Shut off your computer, lights and anything else that might be on, and make sure to do the same over the weekend.
Using a power strip for everything in your home office can make this simpler for you.
Use High-Quality Window Coverings
Window coverings play a huge role in how energy efficient any area in your home is including your office. Invest in an option like high-quality roller blinds so that you can have them covering the windows when the afternoon sun is brightest during the summer. This will keep you cooler and also keep the bright sun from being a distraction while you’re working or meeting with clients.
Use a Fan
If you’re in your home office all day, you might not necessarily want to cool your entire house, if no other rooms are being used. Consider getting a small desk fan so that you don’t have to turn the temperature on your thermostat so low when it’s hot outside. You can do something similar in the winter with a portable heater.
When you have a home office, you might quickly see a spike in your energy costs, because rather than being out of the house all day with everything off, you’re there using lights, equipment and your heating and air system. Small changes like the ones above can help you spend less on your energy costs when you work from home.
