Working from Home and Saving Energy

Over the years, I have found working from home quite a joy, being relaxed and fresh and around my family. However, it does come with its negatives and one key negative is your energy bills are going to start to creep up. So, I thought I’d share with you some clear ways how you could save significant energy in your home working environment.

1. In the ‘Office’ and the working environment you work a 09.00 to 17.00 day, why not maintain that working practice. But this time your journey to work will be via the stairs. Take breaks at lunch and shut down your systems during that time.
2. Dress Code is key not because you are going to possibly be on a video conference call later in the day but wearing a T Shirt and shorts during the winter will mean your heating will need to be set higher.
3. Heating Set-point, make sure this is set to a respectable value of 20 Deg C, don’t make the house sweat and don’t let it get too cold. If cold wear a jumper maybe or appropriate clothing.
4. Study, workstation or dining room lighting, maybe install a LED lamps to help reduce costs.  Remember to turn off when you are not in the area when finished or on your break.
5. Coffee or Tea Breaks. Only fill up your kettle with the amount of water you need. Don’t fill the kettle to the brim. Also, I limit myself to similar breaks I would take in my office.
6. At the end of the day turn off all sockets, shut down your computer or laptop. If you can, turn off your lights in that area.
7. While you are at home find time to review your energy contracts, below are some website links that I have used before to help to see if you are on the right rates and contracts. Maybe submit a monthly meter reading as well.

USwitch

https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/

Compare the Market

https://www.comparethemarket.com/ps/energy/?SRC=CU04&TrackerID=43700041057872567&ds_rl=1251650&ds_rl=1251650&gclid=CjwKCAjwgbLzBRBsEiwAXVIygE4smjMHoReamc9b8lsLrIVTeaJSZGB4IRXuJ2dg7SbS2o7l_qiMJBoC-fIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

• Water and saving costs, be conscious about your water consumption. Find unique ways to save water consumption:
  • Every minute you spend in a power shower uses up to 17 litres of water. Set a timer on your phone to keep your showers short, sweet and water-saving.
  • Washing a full machine load of clothes uses less water and energy than 2 small loads.
  • Save 6 litres of water a minute by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth.
  • Fix leaky taps too – and stop what could be 60 litres of water going straight down the drain every week.
• If you have a ‘Smart Meter’ Check to see what the benchmark value is on the unit during the day and try to keep close to that consumption during the day. Don’t forget you cannot manage what you don’t measure.
• Ensure all your windows are kept close especially in the winter months.
• Set your fridge/freezer to a higher temperature setting so they don’t need to work so hard.
• Use microwaves to reheat food as opposed to the oven – the microwave heats up the food far quicker so are therefore more efficient. (I know not exactly Healthy, but it will reduce costs).

There are many more ways we can save energy, but these are the quick wins to be considered while you find yourself working from home.