5 Ways to Save Power for Your Home Office
12 Jan 2023 Electrical Services
Since working from home has become the new standard for many employees, it has never been more important to consider energy efficiency for your home office. This is especially true if you work full-time from home, as you will be using this space roughly 40 hours per week, every week. With so many devices in your office, it can be difficult to determine where to focus your energy-saving efforts. That is why the residential electrical contractors at BNR Electric have put together a list of 5 ways to save power for your home office. These tips will help you reduce your energy consumption without compromising visibility, efficiency, or comfort, making them well worth your time.
Learn why you may need a backup generator for your home.
5 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Home Office
If you want to reduce your energy consumption for your home office, consider the following tips:
1. Use a Combination of Natural and Artificial Lighting
If your home office features a large window or multiple small windows, try using natural light to your advantage. For example, you may be able to comfortably work during parts of the day without using lightbulbs or desk lamps, saving you money. For times when artificial light is required, be sure to use high-efficiency LED bulbs whenever possible as these units produce more light while using less energy.
2. Choose Efficient Technology
The devices you use in your office can have a significant impact on your energy consumption. In most cases, laptops use roughly 50% less energy than desktops, making them an efficient choice for working from home. If you use monitors or other devices while working, consider choosing modern high-efficiency units as they consume less energy while delivering a high level of performance. Look for the Energy Star symbol on product packaging before buying, as this symbol will indicate units that deliver modern performance with reduced energy consumption.
3. Monitor Your Temperature Control Systems
Now that you are working from home, your HVAC system will need to run more frequently to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. To maintain a comfortable temperature, consider investing in a smart thermostat. These units allow you to set a heating/cooling schedule, ensuring that your home and home office are comfortable regardless of the current weather conditions while saving you money.
4. Cut Down on Printing
Printers require a surprising amount of energy to print documents. While you may be used to printing hard copies of documents, it is better to view them digitally if you want to save energy. A good practice is to only print documents when absolutely necessary, as this will help you reduce energy consumption without impacting your productivity or preferred work processes.
5. Power Down at The End of The Day
If your devices are not being used, they should not be powered on. Once the day is done, be sure to power your devices down and unplug your laptop charger. This will ensure that your computer, monitors, and other items are not drawing excess power when they are not in use, saving you money.
To learn more about our residential and commercial electrical services, get in touch with the team at BNR Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services or the details of your project.
