In the Spring of 2020, the business world was rocked drastically following the abrupt closure of millions of workplaces, entertainment venues, schools, offices, and much more. As a result of this drastic decision, thousands of business owners were forced to re-evaluate how their businesses operate, and thus the era of remote working was born.
Before the American government enforced these closures, around 35% of the employed workforce reported that their employers allowed hybrid working, with many more admitting that they rarely or never teleworked despite having job responsibilities that could efficiently be completed at home. Even now that the business world is starting to return to its old routines, many employed workforces are still working from home, with most companies actively encouraging this decision.
The subject of hybrid working often prompts many different opinions; many workers view remote working as a perk and enjoy the flexibility it grants them, whereas others have less favorable reviews. One such complaint is increased energy bills on your doorstep since home workers are more likely to use more energy than a standard homeowner. Although remote workers might be concerned about these increased costs, there are various ways to reduce and save on your energy bills while working from home – continue reading to find out more.
Install Energy-Efficient Window Treatments
When we’re standing in our living rooms on the weekend admiring the view of our garden and the neighborhood through the windows, we often forget that they are one of the biggest culprits for heat loss (next to doors). Unbeknownst to most American homeowners, 40% of an average home’s heat is lost through the windows, which is more than the amount lost through the doors and walls combined.
Fortunately, there are several ways to combat this, from covering openings with curtains, letting in as much natural light as possible, keeping doors of unused rooms closed, setting thermostat timers, replacing old windows, and investing in energy-efficient window treatments like double glazing or retractable screens. The latter is a recently emerging option for energy-efficient homeowners looking for an attractive window treatment that simultaneously reduces and saves on energy bills.
Made of a unique window screen mesh, with the option of adding PVC coating, retractable screens enable homeowners to see outside but obstruct the view into their living space. As a result, they effectively reduce the overall cost of your energy bills since they stop heat from being transferred through the windows and doors of your property while keeping your view intact.
Learn more about retractable screens by looking at a selection of screens here from reputable providers like Marygrove. Consider visiting their website or contacting them directly to learn more about their complete range of products, the areas they serve, and their financing options to see how their products could help you reduce and save on your monthly energy bills today.
Infographic Provided by https://energypricing.com/
Try To Avoid Working Longer Hours
We’ve all had those days at work where the time seems to be slipping away faster than you can catch up; when we’re working in-house, there’s nothing we can do to rectify this, and we often must play catch up the next day. However, when working from home, the temptation to use our free time after work or the time we would have spent commuting to catch up is hard to ignore – but we often forget that these extra hours get added to our energy bills.
Therefore, it is essential that you try and get as much work completed as you possibly can during your allocated working hours. We understand that some days are more challenging to achieve this than others, but there are several ways to encourage yourself to be more productive and minimize distractions.
For instance, if you are among one of the 66% of American employees that admit to using their cell phones throughout the work day, you could consider leaving your phone in another room while you work, putting yourself on a social media ban, or avoiding screentime on your lunch break, etc. to minimize the temptation of picking up your phone and losing precious minutes that could have been spent completing your work.
Other ways to stay productive include maintaining a good work-life balance, designating your own workspace, avoiding sleeping in, taking regular breaks, setting designated times for checking your emails or work communications, making a to-do list each day, maintaining office hours at home, multitasking wherever possible, meal prepping the night before, and much more.
Unplug Any Devices On Standby
Another way that you can reduce and save on your energy bills while remote working is by unplugging any devices that are on standby and are using unnecessary energy. As well as helping you reduce your energy consumption, unplugging appliances that aren’t in use, such as gaming consoles, television sets, laptops, etc., can also help you minimize the chance of distractions and force you to focus on your work.
On the other hand, if you have kids at home over the holidays or a roommate/partner who works from home, unplugging additional devices might not be a feasible option. In this case, you could consider investing in an energy-saving power strip that is more efficient than traditional power cords since it controls the rate or speed that goes to specific devices.
Shop Around For Energy Providers
Suppose you’ve tried various methods on this list and alternatives yet still do not see the figure on your monthly energy bill decreasing. In that case, you might want to consider shopping around for a cheaper energy provider. We understand that shopping around for a cheaper energy tariff might not be as exciting as looking for the most affordable providers for the newest iPhone. However, using the money you could save is a good incentive.
Although you might not save much in the way of energy, you might be able to save yourself a few hundred dollars by considering an alternate provider, which could go towards a family vacation, a significant purchase you’ve been saving for, or your nest egg. Compare the best deals and providers in your area by using comparison sites that help compare the cheapest rates from some of the biggest brands in your zip code area, and see how much you could save today.
