How to Make Your Home Office More Energy Efficient

Do you work from a home office? Telecommuting has become increasingly common. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 25% of employees now work from home. Whether you perform some or all of your work from a home office, though, you should consider optimizing your environment so that it's energy efficient. With an energy-efficient home office, you'll spend less money on utility bills while promoting a cleaner environment in the process.

Shut Down Computer

When you are finished working for the day, perform a complete shutdown of your computer. Most computers offer several standby modes, including hibernate and sleep. After being idle for an extended period, they'll enter one of these standby modes. The problem with these standby modes is that they'll still consume power. Power will flow from the wall outlet to your computer while it's in hibernate or sleep mode. Fortunately, you can conserve power by shutting down your computer at the end of the day.

Install LED Bulbs

Another way to make your home office more energy efficient is to install light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Most homes use incandescent bulbs. While incandescent bulbs are effective at producing light, they consume more energy than LED bulbs. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says that LED bulbs are 75% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. By installing LED bulbs, you'll create a more energy-efficient home office.

Open the Curtains

Even if you LED bulbs installed, you don't have to necessarily use them all the time. If it's bright and sunny outside, you can open the curtains to illuminate your home office naturally. Sunlight is an excellent source of illumination. And unlike artificial light, it doesn't require power. You can illuminate your home office without consuming power by allowing sunlight to beam in through the windows.

Digitize Documents

Digitizing documents can help you create a more energy-efficient home office. What is digitizing exactly? Digitizing refers to the process of scanning and storing documents as digital files. Instead of printing paper documents, you can store them as digital files. You won't have to use your printer, making it an easy way to reduce your energy usage.

Adjust the Thermostat

You can achieve a more energy-efficient home office by adjusting the thermostat. During the winter, avoid raising the thermostat too high. Instead, find an appropriate temperature that keeps you warm and comfortable without consuming an excessive amount of energy.