Remote work has become more and more popular. Many companies switched as many employees as possible to remote work when social distancing became important. However, many companies will likely stick with this method for many employees since it is an easier way to get things done for everyone involved. Of course, some companies cannot, and others would prefer employees come into work. However, some energy saving tips for working from home can really come in handy for many remote workers around the world.
Energy saving tips for working from home can come in handy for so many people and businesses that are making the switch to remote work.
Energy Saving Tips for Working from Home
The first and the most important of all the energy saving tips for working from home is to unplug. Of course, you cannot unplug everything. Instead, the goal should be to unplug things that suck energy even when the appliance or electronic is turned off. You can unplug TV’s, sound systems, any appliance that is not in use. You will also want to completely unplug your workstation when you have finished. Not only will that feel good to completely unplug work, but it will save energy that usually is not noticed. You can also find a smart power strip which turns off power to devices that go into standby mode after a set amount of time in standby.
Keep the Lights Off
You are working from home now which means you will be paying for energy costs. That also means you may want to switch to natural light. You can turn off the lights in the house and open the shades or blinds and let that natural light be your guide. You can also switch to LED bulbs in any fixtures you feel need to stay on while you work. LED bulbs use far less energy and provide just as much light, if not more.
Check Settings
Remote work usually means computers are in play. However, one of the best energy saving tips for working from home is to discover new settings on your computer. There have been many upgrades to technology that is all about making life easier as well as cheaper. Your computer has a number of energy saving settings that are not activated from the start. You can dig around in your settings to find any energy saving settings and activate them. Sleep mode is one that comes to mind most often.
Hot or Cold
We may not notice it much at work, but the temperature is often controlled and set to be as comfortable as possible. But you will be paying that bill now. That means you may want to take more control over the heat and air conditioning. You can use a smart thermostat to get the job done easily. Just remember, you are at home, you do not have to dress a specific way. You could wear something looser if it is hot or bundle up more if it is cold. You could even use a blanket if you want to stay warmer.
Bigger Changes
You can also invest in better technology at home. This is one of the bigger energy saving tips for working from home that you can do. However, the results will speak for themselves. You could get Energy Star graded computers, laptops, and other appliances that will make a difference when used together. This is a fantastic way to save money overall but upgrading your entire home system could cost a bit more up front. Weight the checks and balances on this one before diving in.