Since COVID-19, working from home, be that on a permanent or hybrid basis, has become the new norm for many of us. Whilst this transition has been beneficial in ways, naturally working remotely also comes with its own set of challenges. From finding a quiet space to work to disrupted conference calls, it can be tricky to settle into this new way of life.
Working from home also means that you’re likely to use more energy. On average, a home of four occupants now uses 13 electronic appliances, so naturally there is a significant surge when people are in the house all day. Your electricity and gas consumption is likely to increase as you boil your kettle, switch your desk lamp on, run your computer equipment, put the heating on, cook your lunch – the list is endless – which will inevitably impact your energy bills.
With this in mind, here are five energy-saving tips to help you save money on your bills whilst working from home.
1. Switch it off
Appliances on standby still consume electricity, so make sure to switch them off completely when they aren’t in use. While you’re likely to use them throughout the day, you should also avoid charging laptops and mobile phones unnecessarily. A laptop typically uses about 50 watts of electricity (0.05 kWh), while a PC uses around 100 watts (0.1 kWh). Put simply, by switching it off when you’re off the clock, you’ll be easily saving energy and money.
2. More layers, less heating
As we head into autumn and the days start getting colder, it can be tempting to just pop the heating on while you’re working from home. But did you know that cutting your central heating temperature by just 1°C makes a huge difference to your energy usage, and can even cut down your bills by 10% per year? Always make sure that you’re wrapped up warm, too, so that you’re not using the heating unnecessarily. Just be sure to take your dressing gown off before a work call!
3. Get smart
Consider installing a smart thermostat to help you manage your energy consumption, make your heating more energy efficient and only warm rooms that you’re using at that time. Smart thermostats learn how long it takes to heat your home in order to have it at the right temperature at exactly the right time. They can also be controlled by your phone, so you can check that you’re being energy-efficient anywhere, anytime. You could even be eligible for free smart controls through UK Energy Management – you can check if your home qualifies here.
4. Boil what you need
Surprisingly, kettles consume around 6% of all the electricity supplied to British homes. Although naturally as Brits we love a cuppa, be wary of your energy use when popping the kettle on during tea breaks. Only boil the amount of water you plan to use – whether it’s for tea, coffee, or even during cooking.
UK Energy Management: Here for You
UK Energy Management is here to help you save money on your energy bills this winter through the government-backed ECO4 Funding scheme. It only takes a few minutes to find out if you’re eligible, and the best part is that we do all the hard work for you. For more information, contact us.
