Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on April 29, 2019 by Work In My Pajamas
Whether you blog, run a YouTube channel or do Amazon FBA, working from home can create spikes in your utility bills.
While working from home and being your own boss is considered living the dream, it can become nightmarish if you can’t figure out how to get your electric bill under control. Thankfully, there are lots of little changes you can employ to get big results.
Start with the following so that you can start cutting costs while staying productive in your home office.
In This Post:
- 1. Install Some Quality Blinds and Shades to Control Sunlight
- 2. Upgrade Your Lighting Fixtures
- 3. Repair and Maintain Your HVAC System
- 4. Give Your Utilities a Break From Time to Time
- 5. Set Up an Outdoor Workspace
- 6. Use Energy Saving Options With Your Technology
- 7. Call Up an Electrician for Regular Repairs
- Take Control of Your Electric Bill
1. Install Some Quality Blinds and Shades to Control Sunlight
Sunlight plays a bigger role in your electric bills than you might ever imagine. For one, when it is beaming into your windows in July, your room will naturally get hotter and your response will probably be to fire up the air conditioner.
As you might imagine, this will create a substantial uptick in your electric bills all summer. Installing a window treatment can keep the sun under control so you can also get your electric bills under control.
A quality window treatment can also help to reduce glare so that you can let just enough sunlight in to see while working with the lights off and saving energy.
You have several window treatment options, so don’t hesitate to shop around to your heart’s content.
2. Upgrade Your Lighting Fixtures
To really start seeing a reduction in your electric bills, you can start by upgrading your light fixtures.
First of all, if you haven’t already switched to LED lighting, this needs to be your first order of business. Not only do LED lights last close to 30 times longer than incandescent light bulbs, but they also burn 75% less electricity.
So even while using your lights the exact same amount, you will take huge chunks out of your electric bill. Switching to LED lights will make you more productive also because you will be able to see clearer and prevent your eyes from getting weary.
There are a lot of LED lighting options that will be magnificent for your home office.
3. Repair and Maintain Your HVAC System
No matter what, your heating and cooling system is your biggest area of concern if you are trying to save money on your electric bill.
Bite the bullet, spend $300 bucks and repair your air conditioner now, so that you don’t have month after month of expensive electric bills later.
On top of hiring a professional to handle the full-fledged repairs, you should keep up with your HVAC system month by month so you can always handle the maintenance as needed. You need to become very familiar with little forms of maintenance like changing the filters or giving the system a good dusting.
The more comfortable you feel taking care of your heating and cooling system, the easier it is to keep your electric bills as low as they can possibly be.
4. Give Your Utilities a Break From Time to Time
Sometimes, controlling your electricity use comes down to simply knowing when to give your systems a break.
It is always good to cut off your HVAC system from time to time. When you do this, you give the system a breather and also reduce your home energy use.
During this time you don’t have to simply suffer. You can plug in a fan or use your ceiling fan — both use less electricity. A tiny space heater can also heat up an entire room but use way less electricity than your furnace would.
You can always open a window to let in some breeze as well, particularly if it is not super hot outside.
5. Set Up an Outdoor Workspace
If you want to save money on your electricity, do all you can to spend some time in the sun.
When it’s nice outside, go out on your deck with your laptop and knock some work out instead of being cooped up in the house. You might want to amplify your Wi-Fi signal to make sure it will reach, or you can use a hotspot.
6. Use Energy Saving Options With Your Technology
Any modern piece of technology today will come with some sort of energy saver setting.
Get familiar with these settings and make use of them regularly. Not only will this make your electric bills easier to handle, but it will also help your devices last longer.
7. Call Up an Electrician for Regular Repairs
Taking care of each electrical fixture guarantees that it is getting the best performance. You can ensure this by contacting a professional electrician.
Hiring an electrical contractor with some skill and credibility lets you get inspections, installations, safety checks and any other electrical work you could ask for.
Keep an eye on your bills from month to month to be aware of spikes and seasonal changes. This way, you can point out any discrepancies to your electrician and get some work done right away.
Take Control of Your Electric Bill
When you follow these tips, it’s easier to get a handle on your electric bill while you work from home.
Since your home and your business are intertwined as an entrepreneur, these tips are great for your personal and professional life. Put them to use in order to lower your bills and also take care of your home office to the fullest.
Check back for more info on how to make the most of your home office, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
