Winter can be a tricky time for those of us working from home. While we want to stay cosy and productive, heating costs can quickly increase. Working from home can almost double your energy usage compared to when you’re in an office because your home heating, lighting, and office devices run throughout the day. The good news is that you can reduce energy consumption and keep your costs down by making a few small, strategic changes to your home office setup. Whether balancing work and family or trying to beat the winter chill, creating an energy-efficient home office is easy and cost-effective.
Let’s dive into some practical energy-saving tips to help you optimise your workspace this winter—with specific product recommendations to get you started!
Energy-Saving Tips for Heating Your Home Office
Heating accounts for a significant portion of energy use, especially during the colder months. It’s estimated that heating and cooling can make up 20% to 50% of your total energy consumption (energy.gov.au).
What You Can Do:
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Space Heater: Instead of heating your entire home, consider a portable space heater. Some of the most energy-efficient models on the market include:
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool: This 3-in-1 model works as a heater, fan, and air purifier, making it perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. It adjusts temperature based on your needs and has a built-in air quality sensor.
De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater: This is ultra-slim, portable, and provides fast, even heating, using up to 50% less energy than conventional models. It’s excellent for maintaining a comfortable working temperature without running up your heating costs.
Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater: Known for its energy-efficient ceramic heating technology, this model has an adjustable thermostat, timer, and energy-saving settings that automatically cut power when the room reaches the desired temperature.
Smart Thermostats for Your Home Office: Use a smart thermostat to control the heating more efficiently. For example:
Google Nest Learning Thermostat: This thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature accordingly, saving energy by only heating your space when you're using it.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat: This model has occupancy sensors, which detect whether anyone is in the room and adjusts the temperature accordingly, ensuring no energy is wasted.
Using a space heater for your office or upgrading to a smart thermostat helps keep your workspace comfortable without heating the entire house. By managing energy use based on your schedule, you'll save money on your bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
Want to know how to spot efficient appliances? Click here to learn about Energy Rating Labels
Energy-Saving Tips for Lighting Your Workspace
Winter days are shorter, and you’ll likely need artificial lighting for much of the day. However, the key of energy-saving tips is to light only when and where necessary, especially as lighting can account for 5% to 10% of household electricity use (energy.gov.au).
Maximise Natural Daylight: Position your desk near windows to maximise the daylight hours. Even in winter, daylight can provide enough illumination to reduce the need for artificial lighting. When sunlight fades, use energy-efficient bulbs instead.
Switch to LED Lighting: LEDs use about 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, making them an excellent investment. Some options include:
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance LED Bulb: These bulbs save energy and give you complete control over the brightness and mood of your workspace.
Cree 9.5W LED Bulb: A highly-rated, budget-friendly option that uses significantly less energy and lasts up to 25,000 hours.
Smart Lighting: Install smart bulbs that adjust automatically based on the room's time of day or occupancy. LIFX Smart LED Bulb and Amazon Echo Glow are great choices for smart lighting that can sync with your work routine, turning off automatically when you leave your workspace.
Using natural light during the day is one of the best energy-saving tips to helps reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. When you need lights, switching to LEDs and using smart lighting to control usage ensures that you're using energy only when necessary, lowering your energy consumption.
Small adjustments in your home office setup can lead to big savings on energy bills.
Working from home does not mean doubling your energy usage. That’s why it’s essential to make wise decisions now to keep your bills in check. Whether it’s investing in energy-efficient space heaters, smart thermostats, or tech, every little change adds up.
Stay warm, stay productive, and enjoy your energy-efficient office!
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