From Commercial Heat Recovery Systems to LED Lighting: 4 Ways to Reduce Your Office Energy Costs
Tags: Home Improvement, HVAC, General Construction
Lots of us are now choosing to work from home. This could be for practical reasons, such as when we have small children to look after, but also for financial; many people are choosing to start their own home businesses after being made redundant, for example. As you would expect, energy costs are higher when you are at home all day, so we have come up with a list of tips that should help you to reduce the price of your energy bills. All are suitable for home office workers, but many can be implemented in traditional office environments as well.
1. Switch to LED Lighting
Making the switch from incandescent light bulbs to LED could save you as much as 50% on the cost of lighting your office. LEDs require smaller amounts of energy to work, yet they still provide the same brightness as traditional light bulbs. While they are a more expensive investment, they tend to last for much longer – in some cases, as long as ten years – so over time, they more than pay for themselves. They can also significantly improve the aesthetics of a room.
2. Upgrade to a Heat Recovery System
Heat recovery systems are becoming especially popular in commercial environments, but they can also be purchased for home offices (and residential properties in general) as well. They are much more energy efficient than traditional heating systems, and ensure your office remains at a consistent temperature. They also provide a better air environment, which is exactly what you need when stuck at home all day. You can find out more about them via this link: https://www.bpcventilation.com/commercial-heat-recovery.
3. Invest in Energy Saving Devices
When starting a home business, it can be tempting to invest in second hand equipment to save money. But while this is okay, it’s a good idea to check out the energy rating of any items that you buy. Products with a good energy rating may be more expensive upfront, but over time will lead to large savings on your energy bills. You could also hire an energy auditor to come to your home or office and advise you on ways to cut costs. Everything from your work PC to your photocopier should be considered.
4. Consider External Forces
If your desk is situated close to the window, during the summer months you may feel like you need to turn on an air conditioner or fan to keep cool. Both of these can lead to high energy costs, which could be prevented by moving your desk to a cooler area of the room, or by installing blinds to block the heat. During the winter, you’ll want to consider insulation. Gaps around windows and doors can easily let cool air in, leading to your heating system needing to work overtime to keep your work area warm. Adding weather stripping or caulking could help to improve this.
If you work from home, keep the above advice in mind. You’ll soon start to see large savings on your energy bills.