Working from home is the ultimate ideal for many people. You can wear any clothing you like, save money by avoiding the daily commute, and eat better food. But if you are one of the 1.7 million+ people in the UK that work from home on a regular basis, it makes sense to be as energy efficient as possible.
10 Working From Home Energy Saving Tips for your Business
Below, we show 10 handy ways you can show staff to help them conserve energy when working from home.
Turn Down The Heat
1. Dial down your thermostat – Think; do you really need your thermostat dial set that high? Although in winter the temptation is to stay cosy and warm, reducing the temperature by just 1°C can save around 10% on heating costs.
Switch It Off
2. Switch off equipment and devices – Make sure you switch off equipment like computers, printers, scanners and the like when not in use. Spending a few moments waiting for your computer to turn back on again is well-worth the effort.
Use Natural Light
3. Take advantage of natural light – Natural light is great news if you want to lower your energy consumption. If you can work in rooms with plenty of sunlight or near a window, the cost of lighting can be vastly reduced. Tip; buy a laptop so you can move around your home with ease.
Strategic Heating
4. Be selective with heating – Only heat areas of your home that you are actually using. There is no point turning on full central heating if you stay in your home office for eight hours a day. Over time, this will amount to considerable savings.
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
5. Invest in energy-efficient bulbs – If you have any traditional light bulbs still in operation, now is the time to invest in energy-saving bulbs. They consume far less energy than classic bulbs, helping your money go further.
Boil Only What You Will Drink
6. Be energy savvy with your kettle – Working from home can be thirsty work. And when using your kettle, remember only to fill it for a single cup (that is, unless you’re brewing for a group). You will save time and money on your electric.
Layer Up
7. Layer up to keep warm – Adding extra clothing layers is a great way to reduce the cost of your heating. A thicker jumper, an extra t-shirt, or even a jacket can work well. Even if you don’t layer up every day, it is a great way to become more energy efficient.
Invest in Insulation
8. Ensure good insulation – Getting your home insulated is a great way to conserve energy and save money. Effective insulation, such as cavity wall insulation, is well worth considering. Also try to insulate windows, doors, and pipework.
Beware ‘Standby Mode’
9. Beware of ‘standby mode’ – ‘Standby mode’ takes up far more energy than you might imagine. So if you regularly leave devices and equipment like TVs, laptops, and computers on standby or sleep mode, turn them off when not in use.
Check Energy Rating Before Purchase
10. USEPA/Energy Star ratings – If your equipment has energy saving features, be sure to turn them on. And when investing in new equipment for your home office, be on the lookout for USEPA/Energy Star ratings. These highlight the energy efficiency of the devices.
Want to save money on business energy? Contact TED today
At TED, we specialise in helping businesses save money on their energy bills. Our commercial energy consultants have great experience in assisting companies to become more energy efficient. To find out more about how we can help your business save money, contact us today or visit our website.
You can also speak to an expert right away if you give us a call on 0845 838 9830.