Simple Ways to Save Energy While Working from Home

In the wake of COVID-19, more people are working from home than ever. While remote work offers the perks of flexibility and avoiding a stressful commute, it comes with the challenges of rising energy bills. Instead of spending 40+ hours a week in a climate-controlled, well-lit building, workers across the county are logging in from home and footing the bill for creating a comfortable environment for themselves. So how do you keep your energy bills in check when your lights, heating/air-conditioning, and appliances are running all day long? We share some tips below.

Plug into an Advanced Power Strip

An advanced power strip (A.K.A. an “APS” or “smart power strip”) helps you save by reducing standby power - energy that is continuously wasted by your electronics when they are plugged in, but not in use. Computers, speakers, and televisions are common culprits, so advanced power strips are commonly used in home office settings.

Learn more about advanced power strips and how they can help you save in our Advanced Power Strips Buyer's Guide.

Switch to LEDs

If your home is equipped with old incandescent light bulbs (you know, the ones that get really hot and burn out quickly), you may be using far more electricity to light your home than you have to. LED bulbs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 15-25 times longer, making them a simple way to save energy and lower your energy bills.

If you'd like to learn more before you make the switch, visit Everything You Need to Know about LEDs.

Make the Most of Daylight

Simple and effective, the best way to save energy on lights is to not use them! Open the shades and take advantage of natural daylight when you can, and switch on the lights only when necessary.

Follow the Sun

If you have a laptop and can move around your home during your work day, follow the sun. Rooms with sun shining in provide the most natural light and warmth in the winter. In the summer, moving away from sunny rooms will keep you cooler.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

With the power to set a schedule for your central air or heating, the ability to control the thermostat from anywhere, and handy reports to help you save even more, a smart thermostat is a fantastic tool to help you cut down your utility bill. If you still using an old, out of date thermostat, it may be time for an upgrade.

For more benefits on using a smart thermostat, read Set it and Forget It: How Smart Thermostats work Hard while Using Less Energy

Get Comfortable

Let's be honest - perhaps the best perk of working from home is the ability to do so in your sweats - so take advantage! In the office, you may not feel comfortable grabbing a hoodie if you're chilly, or sporting gym shorts if you're hot, but at home, why not?  An easy to way to save energy on heating and cooling costs is to dress for the temperature. Before you touch the thermostat, grab your fuzzy slippers and get comfortable!