It’s not novel news that working from home has become quite the norm these days. The Coronavirus pandemics led to many lifestyle changes and one of the biggest is the severed connection between public office environments and its staff. Incredibly, 42% of the U.S labour force now work from home full-time!
It’s a complex situation, employees get to stay in the comfort of their homes but are pushed to ensure their productivity still meets the required standards. Many people are starting to like this new normal, however, there is an issue that people working from home are beginning to face every month. The all-day-long work on computers and laptops within home studies has drastically increased the energy consumption and it is starting to become a concern. Working professionals find it difficult to lower their electricity usage even after consulting an electrician. So, what to do?
Listed below are the 5 best measures you can take in order to conserve energy and save on monthly electricity bills.
Cut Down Screen Time
Perhaps the best way to save electricity is to cut down “on-screen time” when you’re not actually working. Since you don’t have office distractions at home, try finding a way where you can complete the work early and not waste time on social media or web surfing. If you find yourself being distracted by social media – get rid of the temptation! Disable social media notifications or move your phone out-of-site. If you make a habit out of removing temptations, you’ll spend less time working and expend less on work-related expenses.
The point is to work smart, not long.
Devices
Most organizations provide laptops, desktop, or a combination of both to their employees. And while it is true that laptops are more energy-efficient than conventional desktops, the former can actually consume more energy in circumstances. A big one is unplugging your charger once your device is charged, as many of them can still consume power even if they are not connected to a device. Apply this principle to all your electrical appliances and you’ll save considerably on electricity usage.
Put Natural Light to Work
During daytime, it’s great to work in natural light instead of switching on your LEDs or lamps. This is the best way to cut down on unnecessary expenses and it’s as environmentally friendly as it gets. Working in natural light also naturally lifts up your mood and boosts your alertness, making you feel good while working.
Multiple Devices
We get it that you have a smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, and Kindle, too. But ask yourself if you need everything on at once. Even all of your LED lights? If you don’t, then it is best to plug in only those devices that you genuinely need. If your work can’t be completed without charging your mobile phone, then so be it.
Conduct Electricity Audits
Sometimes it’s important to have a detailed analysis of your home to spot where and how energy consumption can be reduced to save electricity costs. If you want to know your usage pattern, energy waste, and where your extra pennies going, energy audits can bring value to you. However, make sure they’re a trusted local electrician because if you don’t screen them accordingly, you could run the risk of being upsold unnecessary services by a dodgy company. When searching for your electrician, make sure they have an up-to-date electrical registration and have high quality testimonies and reviews. Check out this electrician based in Albany, WA if you need an example (https://www.power4allelectrical.com.au/).
Sleep Mode
Check the power management features of your computer and make sure you have the right settings. Also keep in mind that the more programs running in the background, the faster you will lose battery. On Android phones, swipe up to check our your background apps and on iPhone – double click the home button.
This and the sleep mode are two powerful ways of saving much more on electricity each month.
Exceptions
In most cases, organizations provide devices to their employees and sometimes these do not have enough features to save power. In such situations, it all comes to you to make sure you are using the devices responsibly. Never leave the device plugged in even after it is fully charged. Keep an eye, and you’ll end up saving huge.
Tax Returns
The last tip is to check-out what you can deduct from your tax when it’s tax return season! US, UK and Australia all provide tax deductions to those who work from home. Make sure to research your countries guidelines. In Aus and US, you can claim these by following “other work-related deductions” sections in their associated government tax return websites.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading these tips on how to save electricity when you’re working from home. If you’re serious about your savings, make sure to actively engage in these tips and incorporate them into your work lifestyle. Your savings account will thank you. Go on – embark on your new frugal lifestyle. Goodluck!
