Years ago, many working from a home office ran a small business or conducted outside sales. Today, with a move toward flexible working schedules and improvements in technology, workers across many industries spend some productive time outside of a shared office building. Forrester Research estimated 63 million Americans would work from home in 2016. And much of this work requires integrated technologies to connect to company computer networks, teleconferencing and other remote-working tools.
There are many upsides to working from home, including reduced commuting time, flexibility to balance family time and pet care in addition to increased productivity.
Still, there are also costs associated with being at home more often. One downside is a potential increase in utility costs. And another is heightened risk associated with safety and management of the technology required to work from home.
“Anytime living styles change, home energy consumption changes,” said DuWayne Dunham, energy counselor for Clark Public Utilities. “Working at home means you’re around more and using more energy for heating, lights, and computing equipment.”
Savings at the fuel pump and reduced impact on your vehicle may offset the increased utility costs, but there are still steps you can take to keep your energy costs low and keep your office safe.
For example, using smart power strips can help you save electricity by powering down peripheral equipment like printers and scanners when the main computer is turned off. Smart power strips can also provide surge protection to keep sensitive equipment safe.
Home is where most accidents happen, so think of your workplace as an extension of safety measures you take normally for your home. If you have young children around, consider child-proofing the office. If you have any empty outlets, put in plug covers to keep little fingers out. Keep tools, like staplers and scissors, and small objects like paper clips, pens and pen caps away from small hands. Make sure file cabinets and bookshelves are not top heavy or are fixed to the wall to prevent tip-over accidents.
Even modest personal offices have strings of cables connecting equipment and power cords connecting to outlets. Don’t overload the wall sockets and avoid using extension cords as a permanent solution in your office. Instead, organize and secure cords to prevent safety issues.
Never staple any cord into place. Use cable clips that stick to the wall, the baseboard or under a desk to help organize cables neatly and out of the way.
Always keep your office uncluttered. Make sure all the exits around your house are clear. “Stacks of paper and tangles of cords can create fire hazards as well as tripping risks,” said Dunham.
Make sure you have supplies on hand in case of an emergency. Prepare for power outages with flashlights, extra batteries, food and water. And make sure to have hard copies of information that’s critical to your business, including client and co-worker contact numbers, on hand.
Planning updates to your home office? Mark the calendar for the annual Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair April 28-30 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. Hundreds of local businesses will be on hand to talk through improvement and remodeling ideas and can help you make your home office more energy efficient, comfortable and safe.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
