Many employers worldwide are now adopting work from home, whether as a necessity, convenience or for simple economics. Three years after the pandemic has hit us and threw us a curveball, many practices have returned to what they were pre-pandemic, save one, and it seems like it's here to stay. Work-From-Home (WFH ) is now a norm, and it's easy to see why millions of Australians still opt to work from the comforts of home even when the lockdown restrictions have gone. The business world recognises that allowing employees to work from home increases productivity while benefiting the environment. Working remotely has clear financial and time savings advantages. Not only will you avoid the daily rush-hour commute, but you will also save a lot of money on things such as gas, food and coffee, not to mention have a much better work-life balance. With so many advantages, it is only natural that an increasing number of businesses are willing to allow their employees to work remotely, as long as the employees perform. However, staying at home for longer periods of time means consuming more power and higher electricity bills. Your power consumption increases thanks to the air conditioner, laptops, printers, fans and lights being used throughout the day. Any potential savings you make from not commuting may be quickly absorbed by your quarterly electricity bill if you are not cautious. Fortunately, there are simple changes and smart ways you can adopt to save energy. Here are some tips for lowering your energy consumption and saving money while working from home. 1. Switch off completely Unused power is one of the most significant hidden sources of energy costs, accounting for up to 10% of the average Australian power bills. Most of us mistakenly believe turning an appliance or device off is sufficient. Sadly, that is not enough. Even when turned off, appliances consume power. The simplest way to save energy at home is to turn off household appliances at the wall when not used. The same is proper for your office equipment; computers, printers, and monitors are among the most power-hungry devices. Taking the time at the end of the day to turn off your home office devices at the wall will reduce your energy consumption and extend the life of your devices. Alternatively, try smart devices. These devices manage the power flow to electronics and cut supply when not required. If there are no differences despite these, you should consider switching your electricity provider and compare energy plans. 2. Bring in the natural light With lighting accounting for a sizable portion of the average household's electricity bill, it makes sense to maximise natural light in your office space. Aside from the obvious power-saving benefits, a naturally lit space can improve your energy levels and ability to concentrate. If you feel lethargic and fight brain fog, look out the window and soak up the sunlight. Sunlight is known to enhance both your mood and productivity. Another way to save energy is to replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs such as LEDs, that emit less heat and use approximately 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, they will last ten times longer, saving you money, time and energy. And if you think your current electricity provider's rates are high, don't forget to look for other providers like Origin Energy. 3. Hibernate your devices Many appliances have an energy-saving feature known as "sleep mode" or "hibernation", which means that after a period of inactivity, they will automatically enter a low power or sleep mode. Using these features will help you consume less energy in the long run. You can also opt for an energy-saving mode on most computers, laptops, phones and tablets—which are built-in energy-saving settings. All you need is to check out your settings and select the energy-saving option, giving you productivity with less power. 4. Go Solar Investing in solar panels is ideal for people working from home because you will maximise your energy use during the day. Because daylight hours are the best time to use electricity, those who work from home would benefit the most from a solar power system, resulting in significant savings on your energy bill. Rounding offWorking from home may ultimately be the best fit for your work-life balance; just be sure to keep an eye on your energy consumption so it doesn't end up costing you more in the long run.
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