7 Tips to Save Energy While Working From Home

Working from home uses up a lot more energy. An extra cup of coffee here, a full washing machine there… All the little habits you have when working from home can add up to a big energy bill. With gas and electricity prices on the rise, these seven tips for saving energy while working from home are sure to come in handy!

1. Ventilate your home

Want to start your workday with a fresh head? You can do this by airing out your home before you start work. Open the windows for fifteen minutes and let the fresh air in. Not only does this help your concentration, it’s also important for removing moisture from your home. Another benefit is that a well-ventilated home warms up faster, as heat doesn’t spread as easily in a humid environment.

2. Turn the heating down one degree

Although it is more economical to turn on the heating as little as possible, it can quickly get cold in the house in winter. So, if you decide to turn on the heating after airing, consider lowering it by one degree. Switching the knob from 21°C to 20°C may seem like a small difference, but each lower degree saves up to 7% of energy consumption.

A temperature of 19 to 20°C is also optimal for your ability to concentrate. With a thick sweater, an extra pair of socks, and a little exercise from time to time, you will certainly not be cold.

Of course, the price you pay for gas, electricity, or oil also affects your energy bill, so it's important to compare energy suppliers to find the cheapest provider to save money when working from home.

3. Bring the sunshine into your home

Daylight also helps you concentrate better. By placing your desk near the window and leaving the curtains open, you can benefit from natural light. This way, you don't need to use lights during the day and you can save electricity. When the sun shines, your workplace is also heated.

Need to turn on the lights anyway? Consider replacing your conventional bulbs with LED bulbs. They will last longer and you will save a lot of energy.

4. Working on a laptop

Are you working on a laptop? It is more energy efficient than working on a desktop computer. A desktop computer consumes up to 50 or even 70% more energy than a laptop. The latter does not need to be plugged in all the time. Otherwise, you are consuming unnecessary energy and it is also bad for the quality of your battery. It is better for your energy bill as well as your battery to only charge your laptop when it is empty.

Taking a break? Don’t forget to turn off your screen or put your laptop to sleep. Finished working? In that case, turn off your laptop completely and unplug it from the wall to prevent it from going to sleep. It’s also best to unplug any other electrical devices you’re not using.

5. Wear the same outfit when you are at home

When you go to the office, you may like to wear a different outfit every day. But when you work from home, it's not so important. Wearing the same sweatpants five days in a row? Your colleagues won't notice. This way, you also save a few washes!

6. Drink a cup of coffee

A working day at the office is often interrupted by a coffee or tea break. It should be no different at home. But remember that the more you turn on your coffee maker or kettle, the more energy you consume. Do you drink a lot of coffee or tea during the day? Then prepare a large quantity at once and keep it warm in a thermos.

It’s also important to regularly describe your coffee machine or water heater. After all, a poorly maintained machine uses more energy. It may seem like just a small cup of coffee, but it can save you energy and money in the long run.

7. Use a shower timer

Too often, going to the office also means having to rush: take a shower, have breakfast, and go to work. If you work from home, you can start the day in a completely different way: sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and maybe even take a longer shower. However, you use a lot of gas, electricity or oil to heat the water (depending on your heating system). Therefore, use a shower timer to reduce the duration of your shower.