Five Ways To Save On Utility Costs In Your Home Office

Working from home can be delightful, but the utilities you use in your home office can really add up quickly. If you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for heating, cooling, and electricity, here are some tips to help you save.

Use a space heater.

If you're home all day but only working in the office, it seems silly to heat the entire home excessively. A better approach is to heat the home to about 60 or 62 degrees in the day, and then just use a space heater to keep your office a bit warmer if needed. If you have a zoned heating system, this is even easier; just turn the temperature down in most zones, but keep it a little warmer in the zone where your office is located.

Connect your electronics to a power strip.

Many electronics draw power even when they are turned off. This is known as phantom load. To prevent this excess power use, connect all of your electronics, from your space heater to your laptop, to a power strip. This way, when you are done working for the day, you can turn the power strip off and know that no extra electricity is being drawn.

Look for Energy Star rated appliances.

Whenever you shop for new equipment, whether it is a computer or a heater, make sure it carries the Energy Star logo. This means that it has met government standards for energy efficiency. Equipment has become so much more efficient over the last few decades, so you'll be surprised how much you save when you upgrade to new items.

Let in more natural light.

Leave the drapes or blinds open whenever possible. You'll let in more natural light, so you don't have to keep the overhead lights on as often. You can also minimize your use of task lights if the blinds are open and the sun is shining in. But, if there is limited sunlight, always choose task lights over an overhead light since task lights draw less power.

Use a fan.

In the summer, make sure you turn on the ceiling fan or use a box fan in your office. This will enable you to turn the temperature up a few degrees without feeling so warm. The less you rely on your central air conditioner, the less energy you'll have to pay for during the summer months. For more information, talk to a company like Ronnie Ritchie Service Co Inc.

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