World Wisdom: Greener Home Office (Guest Post)

Getting a Greener Home Office

Your home office may be the base for your work from home job, or just the place where the family does their business. In either case, there are plenty of ways to make that space more environmentally friendly. And in some cases even save money. Some changes are a little costly, while others are less so and have more to do with our habits and behaviors. Going greener in your home office isn’t all that difficult, but it is a definite choice.

Electronics

The electronics industry is actually one of the worst offenders when it comes to waste in the manufacturing process. And once electronics are created, they suck up energy with a voracious appetite. Our gadgets, technology and devices, in every stage of their development aren’t particularly kind to the planet. One way to help minimize that damage is to shop for products which are dedicated to being more environmentally sound. Energy Star is perhaps the most well known variety of these labels. The Energy Star program, which is backed by the government, indicates a special kind of computers that use almost 70% less energy than other models. But make sure to activate all of the power management features on the PC to make sure you get the most benefit. You can also buy Energy Star phones, TVs and DVD players. But whatever kinds of electronics you have; unplug them. Anything you can turn off and pull out of the power source will help conserve energy for everyone. I know it’s not always convenient to power down every night, but living in a bio dome because the planet is unfit for human life, well that will be inconvenient too.

Windows and Lights

Working usually requires some form of light. And that’s where your windows and lamps come into play. First, for artificial light, make sure to buy energy efficient light bulbs, and yes there are Energy Star versions of these too. The lights can save a little on your power bill, but it’s fairly incremental. The high points are that they last 10 times longer than regular bulbs and use 74% less energy. What’s also interesting is that your sources of natural light may be able to save you even more than that.

If you have a home office with windows, there may be a major benefit to replacing them. If you don’t have Energy Star windows or they aren’t geared toward conservation replacing them may be an expensive, but highly worthwhile, effort. Inefficient windows can actually account for a huge loss of heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. While there are simpler ways of re-enforcing your existing windows, if you can swing it, replacing them may be your wisest choice. Not only can new windows use less energy and help lower your utility bill, they may make you eligible for a tax incentive. Also in regards to the IRS, if you do work from home, you may be able to take a partial tax deduction on the improvements made to your home office.

Paper and Recycling

Wouldn’t it be nice to go entirely paperless? Even if not for the planet, but because paper seems to pile up and clutter spaces like nothing else. Obviously one way to a greener home office is just to use less paper. But beyond that there are other ways to help. When you do need to use paper, try to make sure you get only recycled paper. You can also help reduce the amount of paper that is dumped on your doorstep by switching as many of your billing accounts as possible to paperless and taking the opportunity to opt-out of junk mail wherever the option is provided.

You can also recycle on your own. We all like to recycle the fun stuff like soda cans because it actually pays. Btu what about the bigger things? Computer parts, batteries, ink cartridges, cell phones… these are all items which, if dumped into a landfill, are brutally harmful to the environment. Not to mention, old electronics can often be harvested for useful parts which can then used to create new items. There are tons of programs available for people to donate these kinds of goods for recycling, you just need to find one near you and then gather up everything around the house that needs to be disposed of and make one trip. When you’re done, you’ll have extra space at home and the knowledge you did your part.

There are plenty of ways to go greener around any home but when you focus on each room individually the tasks seem less overwhelming. In the home office, you can become more environmentally friendly simply by replacing out-dated electronics and turning off everything you don’t need, using windows and lights which are made to conserve energy and recycling everything you can. If you take these little steps you will have a better home office, visible savings on your utility bills and a peaceful, greener conscience.

George works for King Shade & Windows providing blinds Boston. George has had a great deal of experience in the windows and doors industry but also as a writer and a blogger. He has a growing passion for going green in every possible.