Sunday, December 25, 2011

Saving Energy While Working at Home

By Jurgen Sheehan


Working from your home provides a lot advantages. This helps you save from travel and dressing up every single day, it provides you with time for that extra minute of sleep and it lets you work from your most convenient hours. However working at home it may also raise your electricity bills - unless you thoroughly choose your office tools and perform some energy saving actions.

Buy power efficient office equipment - computers, faxes and copiers, scanners, printers, monitors and multi-function gadgets (scanning device, copier, and facsimile). Some ENERGY STAR equipment for your office can help to conserve as much as 90% of the standard energy consumption.

Most ENERGY STAR office equipment consumes 50% less electricity compared to standard ones. Other than power saving advantage, some equipment for your office minimizes electromagnetic field emissions (for monitors), air-conditioning loads, and noise from transformers and fans.

An ENERGY STAR computer is 70% more energy efficient than computers without this designation. When left inactive, this computer shifts into a low-power mode, which only uses 15 watts of power or less.

Some office equipment that does not have to be turned on all the time needs to be shut down and unplugged because they still draw power when turned off.

Unplugging unused electronic equipment isn't limited to office equipment; unplug your television, VCRs, stereos, microwave oven, and electric stove along with other home equipment when not being used.

Do not leave other kitchen appliances switched on while working. Avoid leaving unused appliances on "standby" mode.

Turn off the computer monitor if you are going for a break. Manually turn off your computer if you are leaving for an hour or more. Avoid using screensavers because they consume the same amount of energy as with normal computer use. Activating the computer's sleep mode is also a better way to save energy.

Don't believe that office equipment should frequently be turned on because it will last longer. Practicing this belief might only lead to increased electricity bill.

On your next upgrade, consider buying a laptop as a computer replacement as they consume less energy than desktop computers.

When the battery chargers aren't used or maybe the batteries are fully charged, unplug the charger immediately.

Set up your home office where you can utilize the natural light to minimize the use of lamps and room lights.

If you are working at night, prefer task lights that consume less energy instead of using room lights. Close the drapes and shades of the windows to keep cold air out and save energy on heating the room.

If you are alone in the house, make sure that you lock all the doors and windows before working.

Set the thermostat of your cooling or heating system to a comfortable level. An electronic thermostat can provide much better electricity savings. Work where you could reduce the use of heating or air conditioning and lights. Choose a small room as an office rather than the entire living area. Always maintain your air conditioning system thoroughly clean.

Make energy conserving improvements to your home. Home energy saving improvements such as insulation, repairing of crack and holes (on the windows, walls, ceiling, floors, attic and basement) and switching to compact fluorescent bulbs will bring down your utility bills.

Aside from that, if you are intending to sell your property, making your home power efficient is a great tactic.




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