In 2009, Forrester Research did a study on telecommuting in America. What they found was that at that time there were already 34 million American telecommuters. According to their study, that number should exceed 60 million people today.
60 million Americans’ employers are saving money on overhead when their employees telecommute, but what happens to those 60 million Americans’ home electricity bills when they unplug at work so that they can plug in at home?
If you work from home or if you have a home office, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your home electric bill, even when you’re telecommuting on a regular basis. Keep reading to learn how you can avoid taking on your company’s electrical expenses when you work from home.
Invest in the Right Equipment
Laptop computers are about one-third more energy efficient than desktop computers are, so when it’s time to upgrade your desktop, a laptop is an energy efficient — and convenient — alternative.
Another thing you can look for in home office equipment is something called an ENERGY-STAR® rating. Using ENERGY-STAR® office equipment can cut your energy usage by as much as 50-75% (source).
ENERGY-STAR® is a voluntary program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. You can find ENERGY-STAR® ratings on consumer products like computers, monitors, printers, and more.
You can learn more about ENERGY-STAR® office equipment on the Energystar.gov website.
Unplug! (or Buy an Advanced Power Strip)
It should come as no surprise that turning off your devices when they aren’t in use can save electricity, but did you know that in many cases, devices continue to draw electricity even when they’re unplugged?
It’s true. Your laptop’s AC adaptor is a great example, because it continues to draw electricity even when your laptop isn’t plugged in.
Unplugging devices when they aren’t in use is the best way to ensure that you aren’t passively draining power. If unplugging your devices or manually powering down your surge bars when you aren’t working is too much, well…work, though, that’s okay.
If unplugging isn’t practical for you, then consider purchasing an advanced power strip. Advanced power strips have automatic shutoffs that help you save power when you aren’t using your electronics.
Check Your Settings
If you’re looking for a way to create energy efficiency immediately, without spending any money at all, then your first step is to check your device’s power settings.
Standby power is the power that your electronics use when they’re running but not being used. In a blog post by House Logic, the site says that standby power accounts for approximately $100 of the average American family’s electricity bill each year:
“Assuming your home office equipment represents about 4% of your electric bill, you could save up to $4 per year,” says House Logic.
Not sure how to adjust your device’s power settings? ENERGY-STAR®’s website explains how to manually adjust power settings for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and the Mac OS.
If you’re one of the many people in Missouri who work from home at least some of the time, you can save a little each year on your electric bill by following these energy efficiency tips in your home office. From investing in energy-efficient equipment to adjusting the power settings on your devices, every little bit helps.
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