How to Save Electricity When You Work Full-Time from Home

When you work onsite, it’s easier to save electricity at home without much thought. Simply adjust the thermostat, turn off the lights and unplug devices before you go, and you’re all set. But when you work from home full-time, all of that daily usage tends to add up on your power bill in a noticeable way. A few simple adjustments are all it takes to make your at-home workday more energy efficient without disrupting your focus or productivity. Here’s how to save electricity as a full-time remote worker:

Optimize Your Workstation

First things first, optimize your workstation. This is the space where you spend most of your time, so it needs to be as energy efficient as possible. You can accomplish this by working on a laptop, if the option is available, since they only use power when plugged into a charger, whereas a desktop remains plugged in all day. You can also plug your devices into a smart power strip, which automatically cuts off the electricity supply after a certain amount of time of inactivity, helping reduce phantom energy drain. It also helps to take inventory of what’s plugged in all day versus what you actually use. If you have a second monitor or printer you only use on occasion, keep them unplugged until you need them.

Be Smart About Lighting

Lighting is a quiet contributor to people’s power bills, even if it accounts for a smaller total usage than something like heating and cooling. Set up your workstation near a window as an easy way to take advantage of natural light. When you do need artificial lighting, opt for task lighting, like a small desk lamp, because it uses far less energy than illuminating an entire room. Natural lighting and task lighting also have positive effects on mood and focus, so it’s an easy win-win. If you haven’t already, switch to LED or smart bulbs, as it’s a simple and easy upgrade that makes the hours you spend at your desk much more electricity-friendly.

Unplug and Power Down When You Can

It’s tempting to leave your computer and other electronics running during breaks and meals so everything’s ready to go when you come back. However, putting these devices in sleep mode or unplugging them altogether is a much more energy-efficient option. The only adjustment you have to make is coming back a few minutes earlier to power everything back up again. You should also unplug chargers as soon as your devices hit 100% to prevent them from drawing excess power. The same goes for secondary screens, printers, fax machines and other devices sitting idle at your desk. If you’re not actively using it, it’s worth switching it off or unplugging it.

Be Mindful of Thermostat Settings 

When you’re home all day, most of your energy consumption comes from heating and cooling. Instead of constantly cranking the thermostat up and down, look for other ways to stay comfortable. During the warmer months, use a ceiling fan or desk fan to stay cool. During the colder months, layer up, grab a blanket or use a space heater to keep warm while saving on heating costs. It also helps to use a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature throughout the day based on the time, temperature outside and your routine.

Take Advantage of Off-Peak Hours

Since you’re at home most of the day, you can take full advantage of off-peak hours to get chores done. Peak hours usually happen in the early morning when people are getting ready for work and in the evening when they’re coming home, settling in, showering and cooking dinner. Keep in mind that exact time-of-use rates depend on your electricity provider. If off-peak hours happen in the middle of the day, use your 15-minute breaks or lunch times to do a load of laundry, wash dishes or prep dinner.

Along with optimizing your workspace and practicing more mindful habits, you can also track your usage to make sure your efforts are paying off. With prepaid electricity, monitoring your consumption is easy with real-time usage tracking directly from your phone or computer. On top of that, prepaid electricity makes managing your power bills easier by putting the control in your hands. Learn more about prepaid electricity by contacting the trusted Pronto Power team online or calling us at (844) 621-2852.