Creating an Energy-Efficient Home Office Workspace

The Covid-19 pandemic caused many to search for the perfect spot to establish our “work territory” at home. The current post-pandemic time finds many of us still working from that home office space. Whether you’re working remotely or in a hybrid position, having the perfect home office workspace is crucial to productivity, mental health and, unexpectedly, your energy consumption and budget. 

Pronto Power, a Dallas prepaid power company, suggests taking a step back and analyzing your workspace to determine if it’s providing the ideal working environment without adding significant cost to your energy bill. Here are a few ideas that you should consider when determining how you can improve your home office workspace to reduce energy consumption while reducing your carbon footprint when working from home.

Lighting

Is your designated home office space well-lit with tons of natural light, or is it dependent on overhead lights, table lamps, or a combination of both? Good lighting is a major contributor to mental health and efficiency. We are more productive when exposed to natural lighting instead of incandescent or fluorescent lighting. 

If you have access to windows and natural light, let it bathe your workspace without it impeding your ability to work. If your space is dependent on artificial light, consider using energy efficient light bulbs and if possible, place them on a timer, or connect them to a home smart device. This will reduce energy consumption and keep you from the “I forgot to turn the lights off” syndrome.

Office Equipment

Odds are you’ve introduced a desktop, laptop, docking station, scanner, copier, printer or all-in-one device to your workspace. All of this equipment can contribute to an increase in energy consumption; older, non-energy saver equipment will utilize even more than their newer counterparts. Devices with Energy Star Ratings and LED monitors can reduce energy consumption by an estimated 50-60%. Automate as many devices as possible to take advantage of energy monitoring tools available through smart hubs.

Advanced Power Strips

Whether using energy saver-rated office equipment or older versions, the most overlooked devices are the simplest and most cost-effective items to replace. Swap out old power strips with new ones. Reduction of “phantom energy use” or “vampire drain” will provide significant relief to power consumption and can add up to $100.oo in savings annually. Advanced or “smart” power strips and plugs can be programmed to turn off equipment and devices at scheduled times and/or during down periods. 

Heating/Cooling

Whether working in an office building, or a home office, temperature is high on the list of complaints for most workers. Dramatic changes in temperature impacts our performance, mental health, physical health and general comfort level. Working in your home office, you can consider opening the windows to allow in fresh air and provide better ventilation than typically offered in a professional building. The use of fans, energy saving heaters and scheduled home thermostat settings can reduce your energy consumption.

With a little ingenuity and perhaps a touch of reorganization, you can improve the quality of your workspace along with your personal comfort and productivity, all while reducing your energy consumption and carbon footprint, resulting in lower energy bills. If you live in Dallas or surrounding areas, you can also benefit from switching to Pronto Power, a prepaid power company with the lowest rates in Texas. Call us today at 1-844-621-2852 or contact us online to get started.