Impact of Home Office on Your Energy Consumption [& 5 Ways To Save]
Remote work is a great practice for most employees! There is no hassle of the office travelling, transportation costs, or commute stress. However, with the convenience of a home office, household energy consumption has increased a little.
That’s because employees are using their own electricity for operating computers, lights, and other devices. Let’s check some other impacts of the home office on energy consumption and how to resolve them.
Impact of Home Office on Energy Consumption and Utility Bills
As per a report by ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), the Covid19 restrictions increased the household electricity bills drastically. The households saw a 10% surge in electricity usage. This came as bad news for those who were already suffering from the financial crisis. Meanwhile, there was 17% less energy consumption due to lessening onsite business activity. Although, that didn’t balance the crisis due to the pandemic recession.
Another data by Mozo (2020) stated that Australian families might have to pay an additional $527 on energy bills (every six months) due to remote work regimes. This adds up to an extra cost of $88 monthly! The value is 50% more (on an avg.) than what they paid earlier.
Surprisingly, computers and laptops were not the only contributors to energy consumption due to remote work. Other factors like ACs and lighting had an equal role. Here’s a rough estimation of energy usage through extra costs (every six months):
● Electrical appliances and chargers: $190
● TVs and music (to create an office ambience): $124
● Kettles and Microwaves (for snacking): $95
● Lights: $116.80
● Air conditioner (with other home costs): $935.90
● Electric heater: $1232.20
How to Save Energy with the Home Office?
While these things are a bit challenging, there are ways to combat them:
#1 Work Under Natural Light
To cut out on energy consumption through lighting, look for a space with adequate natural light. You can set up your remote office near the window. Alternatively, you can work outdoors on the lawn, garden, or balconies. Besides saving on lighting costs, it’s also useful for your well-being. Sunlight can provide you with Vitamin D and cut down your sick days. It can uplift your mood and support the immune system. For night hours, invest in energy-efficient lights and use the same.
#2 Shutdown the Devices When Not Using
Always keep your system and laptops off when not in use. Also, unplug the charger and turn off the power switch after use. Keep your scanners and printer in sleep mode. This will prevent recurrent plugins/plug outs while using less electricity.
#3 Alternatives and Tips for AC Energy
Upgrade your windows if they are old, and seal them nicely. Keep the curtains closed to avoid sunlight exposure. Try to set up the AC thermostat a bit high to avoid excessive power consumption. Make sure to turn off the AC once the room cools down. Also, do not keep the ACs on when no one’s in the room.
#4 Invest in Fireplace
Instead of using room heaters, invest in a fireplace to keep yourself warm. With fire as its major energy source, it could help you save money on your utility bill. It could also provide a peaceful, non-distracted, and focused ambience for daily tasks.
#5 Rely on Record Players and Radios
You can use vintage record players and radios to cut down the cost of TVs/music systems. These devices ensure soothing music without any electricity consumption. Most radios are battery powered with antenna connections.
That’s all! These were some of the impacts and solutions of the home office on your energy consumption.
