Top 5: Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient

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Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient

Millions of Americans are working from home these days than ever before. And while you may be saving money on your commute, you can expect to see an increase in your utility bills. While some of these extra costs are unavoidable, read our tips below to help curb waste in the home office.

1. Power Down

Simply not shutting off PC’s costs US companies billions in energy costs annually. And no, the screensaver isn’t doing you any favors either. Simply take the time to turn off your PC and other connected devices like printers, scanners, fax machines, etc. Many of these devices have sleep modes that can also be utilized during your work day, but it’s still best to power down once you’ve clocked out. Bonus, you won’t feel tempted to log on casually here and there and work after your “office hours” have ended.

2. Keep the Vampires at Bay

Avoid “energy vampires” or devices that continue to use energy and drain power, even when they are turned off. These phantom energy suckers can account for as much as 20% of your monthly electricity bill. Connect office equipment to power strips and shut off the strip once devices have been safely powered down. Energy vampires are also lurking in the form of phone chargers, video game consoles, coffee makers, anything that turns on with a remote, etc.

3. Keep it Light

Instead of lighting the entire room, focus lighting only where you need it (task lighting). Opt for a desk lamp instead of whole room lighting. If there’s a window in your office consider repositioning your desk or move to a room with plenty of natural light to avoid using lights at all! Finally, be sure to use ENERGY STAR® qualified light bulbs.

4. The Home Office, To Go!

Laptop computers consume up to 80 percent less electricity than desktop pc’s. If at all possible, utilize a laptop instead. Bonus: you can now work from anywhere – the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the possibilities are several!

5. Hot or Cold

When working from home, avoid running heating or air conditioning at capacity. Instead, utilize personal space heaters (safely) or ceiling fans, just make sure to shut them off when not in use.

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