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Last Updated on September 14, 2020 by Work In My Pajamas
When you work from home, you can save money on gas, parking, and wear and tear on your vehicle. However, you often end up having higher utility bills than someone who works in an office because you always need to heat or cool your house. If you’re looking to save money on your home office utility bills, the following suggestions can help.
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Use Your Ceiling Fans
While you might be tempted to bump down the temperature on your thermostat in the summer to help you stay cool, that’s not always necessary. Often, staying comfortable is more about how air feels on your skin. Turning on a ceiling fan can actually help a room feel 10 degrees cooler while only using 10 percent of the energy a central air conditioner uses. Even better, in the winter you can switch the fan blade direction to clockwise and circulate warm air around the room.
However, while improving your energy consumption habits is an excellent way to start; you should consider the impact that the company you hire has on your budget. For instance, by looking for the Texas energy rates you will encounter plans and qualities that are not just affordable but pertinent according to your consumption patterns.
Seal Air Leaks Around Your Home
While you might have your thermostat set at an appropriate temperature, it won’t matter if outdoor air is leaking into your house. Although you likely never think about them, cracks and gaps around your doors, windows, wiring, and plumbing allow cold and warm air leak into your house. By simply sealing up those openings, you can save over 10 percent on your energy bills and make your house more comfortable at the same time.
Wear Warm Clothing
Keeping your home warm during the colder months doesn’t mean setting the thermostat at a high temperature. When the weather cools down, set your thermostat as low as possible, and then bundle up in warm clothing to help you stay cozy. If you ever must leave your house, don’t forget to turn your thermostat back even more. Leaving your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours can save you about 10 percent a year on your heating and cooling costs.
Use a Space Heater
Another innovative way you can save money on your heating costs during the winter is by using a space heater. If you have a dedicated room in your house for your office, you can turn the heat back on your HVAC system and use a space heater to keep warm. While space heaters are small, they’re very efficient. In fact, one 1,500-watt ceramic unit can heat a room for 18 to 20 cents an hour.
Use Your Curtains Wisely
Although you might just think your curtains are purely decorative, they actually play an important role your home’s temperature. During the summer, you should close your curtains to help block the sun and make your house cooler. In the winter, open your curtains during the day to let the sun naturally heat your home, and then close them in the evening to trap that warm air inside.
You deserve to hold onto some of your income. If you work from home, you can use these energy saving tips to help reduce your heating and cooling costs and save money on your utility bills.
