8 Tips to Save Energy When Working From Home.

The onset of the covid-19 pandemic has caused many of us to spend a lot more time at home. Much of it is owed to restrictions on social activities and precautionary measures to safeguard our health and well-being. What’s more, many of us are now required to work from our homes, and this inevitably means increased energy use.

• Instead of keeping cool at our air-conditioned offices, our fans are now running nearly 24/7. And though costly, sometimes we feel like we have no choice but to blast the air conditioner for several hours. 
• As opposed to sitting in a well-lit office, we’re now at home with the lights on.
• No more heating food in the microwave at work – our ovens and microwaves are being put to work like never before.
• Chances are that lunch hour has become TV hour (wink).

These are just some of the things that wouldn’t normally occur during our workday. Yes, they may seem small but they ADD UP big time! Spending more time at home will likely result in increased gas and electricity bills. However, these bills can be kept at a manageable level with a few simple tips. Check out some of these energy-saving tips for around the home. 

1. Draw the curtains!

Make use of the free God-given energy from the sun. Draw the curtains and crack a window – use the natural sunlight to illuminate your space. And get some fresh air while you’re at it!

2. Use fans or windows instead of AC.

Speaking of fresh air… before you turn on the air conditioner, open out the windows and doors to take advantage of the natural cool breeze that surrounds you. Turn on a fan for added comfort but use the air conditioner as a last resort. Compared to air conditioners, fans provide cooling at a much lower cost.

3. Unplug anything you’re not using.

Turn off lights in unoccupied spaces or when not in use.  Be sure to unplug chargers, appliances (please… not the fridge), and devices when not in use. Even out of use, they continue to use electricity once plugged in.

4. Use an advanced power strip. 

Advanced power strips or smart power strips are an easy, low-cost way to manage your electronic devices while saving energy and money at home. Even if you forget to unplug devices that are no longer in use, with a smart power strip you’re still covered!

While traditional power strips are an affordable way to house many different devices using only one outlet, devices that are plugged in continue to use energy. Smart power strips, on the other hand, work to reduce your power usage by shutting down power to devices that go into standby mode. Ultimately, they make your home more energy efficient by ensuring that devices aren’t drawing down power when not in use. 

5. Minimise screen time on your breaks.

While there are several benefits to minimising your screen time, today I’ll focus on the energy and money savings it could bring. You’re already spending several hours working on the computer. Opt for a change of scenery and step away from the screen on your breaks. Read a book, go for a walk, take a stretch… it’s nice outside!

6. Put your appliances on energy-efficient settings.

If your appliances offer energy-efficient settings it may be beneficial to put this to use. Your refrigerator is one of the hardest working appliances in your home so by turning on its energy-efficient settings, you can easily reduce the amount of energy used. Make your appliances work smarter, not harder!

7. Trade in your desktop for a laptop.

If you’re currently using a desktop to work at home, and you foresee working from home as a long-term circumstance, it might be a good idea to get a laptop. Laptops are significantly more energy-efficient and consume up to 80% less electricity than desktop computers. This can truly be a worthwhile investment. 

8. Have meals that require no or shorter cooking times.

Meals that require little cooking, heating or reheating can be a great energy saver while spending the days at home. Prepare more salads, sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies to reduce the gas and electricity used for heating and cooking.

A few small changes can make a huge difference! What changes are you making to save energy around the house?