With the #COP26 Climate Change Summit taking place over the next fortnight, I have been been thinking about the impact that working from home has on the environment versus travelling to an office every day.
Having worked from home for the past 15 years, I have certainly noticed that my energy and water consumption are much higher than they used to be. Conversely, I use much less fuel in my car as a result of doing fewer road miles, so it could be argued that what I save on fuel is now being spent on energy bills.
I am trying to change my mindset to thinking about using less energy AND fuel. I inherently like to adopt ways to minimise my energy usage but I still feel like I could be doing more. As a result, I have researched some tips and ideas that can be adopted for both home and office working. Some need planning and investment, others can be implemented for nothing in a few minutes. Here's what I discovered...
- Use energy efficient devices and equipment – think about upgrading anything that is old or inefficient. You can even get tax rebates or incentives when you buy energy-efficient devices
- Maintain equipment regularly – equipment that is maintained well is generally more efficient and will last longer. Ensure obstructions are removed and filters and fans are cleaned regularly to prevent overheating
- Switch off and unplug any unused devices and lights – sounds like common sense, but simply switching off anything that isn’t in use can save significant energy. If you work in an office and are worried about powering down essential equipment, consider using a traffic light system – a red sticker means don’t turn off, an amber sticker means only authorised people can switch off and a green sticker means anyone can switch off. Don’t forget to switch off devices before you go leave your office or go for a walk
- Don’t rely on standby mode – devices and appliances left on standby still draw power and can use up to a staggering 50% of the energy they use when in operation
- Wear some extra layers – wrapping up warm during cooler months rather than turning up your heating thermostat is a great idea. Turning heating down by just 1°C could reduce heating bills by up to ￡80 per year! If you do need to put the heating on, try and just heat the rooms you need and limit the amount of time the heating is on
- Let natural light flood in – throw open your curtains in daytime and try to work in the brightest area to avoid the need to use overhead lights and desk lamps. Natural light also boosts your mood, so it’s a win-win
- Switch to LED lightbulbs – low energy lighting such as LED lightbulbs last longer, saving on both running and replacement costs. Dimming lights is also a good way to save energy. Also try to only use lighting when it’s dark outside
- Install smart meters – installing smart meters/thermostats so heating can be controlled more precisely as well as remotely
- Close gaps to avoid drafts – use draft excluders to stop cold air coming through any gaps in windows and doors
- Insulate effectively – a building can lose up to 40% of heat through its roof so installing loft and cavity wall insulation will significantly save energy
- Recycle where possible – getting into a good recycling routine will indirectly save energy as it eliminates the need to make materials from scratch
- Do not overfill the kettle - resist the temptation of boiling a whole kettle if you only need one cup. It’s also a good idea to descale your kettle regularly if you live or work in a hard water area as heavy limescale will mean kettles use more energy to boil water
- Use a microwave – using a microwave to heat up food is more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric hobs, particularly when heating up small amounts of food
- Switch to better energy deals – shopping around for a better energy provider can save hundreds of pounds each year
- Plant some trees – whether working at home or in an office, planting trees is a great way to do your bit for the environment and offset carbon emissions
I am proud to work for Pipster Solutions which is a carbon neutral organisation. The company has invested into a tree planting programme with local schools in the South West to offset any carbon emissions generated during the year. Pipster is taking positive steps in the fight against climate change, offsetting emissions, supporting biodiversity, planting native trees and teaching local kids about carbon offsetting. All of #TeamPipster will continue to monitor our carbon emissions and will offset accordingly, taking small actions in a very large fight against one of the most potent threats to our beautiful planet.
#COP26 #ClimateTalks #climatechange #energysaving #togetherforourplanet #climateemergency #climateaction?
