Working from home has many benefits, but one of the main disadvantages is that your energy bills rise. Other costs, like your food bills, and if you are self-employed, the costs of supplies and equipment, may also increase. During the wintertime, this can be especially worrying, and many people are forced to work in the cold to keep costs low. The good news is, there are other options. Here are some of the ways that you can reduce costs if you work from home this winter.
Warm Your Body
Warming your home is expensive, so first, try to warm your body. Wearing several thin layers, slippers and fingerless gloves works well. Sitting with a hot water bottle can warm you up, and drinking hot drinks will warm your insides, as well as your hands.
Get Up and Move to Keep Warm
Another great way to warm your body is to move. If you are feeling cold get up and jog on the spot or do some other simple exercises to get your blood pumping.
Take Control of Your Heating
Installing the best smart thermostat gives you an easy way to schedule your heating, as well as the ability to make sure it goes off if you leave the house and an accurate way to track your usage. This can help you to avoid energy waste, keep your bills down, and run your house at a more consistently warm temperature. More control and information are two of the easiest ways to keep your bills down when you spend a lot of time at home.
Work Out of the Home
Working from home doesn’t have to mean working at home all the time. Working from a café or similar can be cheaper even if you buy drinks, and places like libraries offer free workspaces and a warm environment.
Follow the Sun
On sunny days, instead of working in your office, follow the sun around your home, keeping the curtains open and letting the sunshine warm the room. When the sun moves around, you move to a different room to follow it.
Make Sure Your Heating is Working Efficiently
Having your boiler serviced as we go into winter is a great way to make sure it’s working efficiently, and that it won’t let you down during the coldest part of the year that sensi.emerson.
Cut Other Costs
Of course, heating is a big cost in the winter, and most of us are keen to use the heating less so that we can reduce our energy bills. But as mentioned, working from home raises other costs too. You’ll spend more on food, and perhaps even home subscription services. Look at making other cuts at home to balance your budget, and start meal planning to reduce your food bills, including work-time snacks and lunches, as well as your family dinners.
Many people are worried about rising costs this winter, and it can be even more worrying for people like home workers who spend a lot of their time in their houses. But there’s plenty that you can do to keep warm, without breaking the bank.
