Happy Earth Day business owners! Since most of us have been confined to our homes for the better part of a year, our residential energy costs have probably increased noticeably. To help balance your home office expenses, here are seven options to try right away.
1. Plants Help to Destress and Purify the Air
Plants clean the air, absorb toxins, and give off oxygen. They also add a little life to our surroundings and helps us to relax and destress. What is the best plant for the job? The Spider plant cleans the air best.
2. Natural Light Lifts Your Mood and Energizes
Windows that provide enough light during the day to allow you to work without artificial light are a treat. The natural light is a free anti-depressant and energizer that will boost your mood and save you energy. Windows are a great light source, but they account for up to 50% of the heat loss in your home.
To avoid expensive window replacements, opt for a blind product that will provide year-round comfort by regulating room temperature and allow 90% of the light to come in such as PlanIt! Comfort Optimization Blinds™. They also have the added benefit of blocking 92% of the damaging UV rays.
3. Energy Star® Equipment Significantly Lower Utility Costs
Energy Star® equipment not only lower your energy costs significantly, they perform much better than their energy consuming counterparts. Older equipment that are not Energy Star® certified can actually double your operating costs and energy usage. For example, computer peripherals use anywhere from 25% -65% less when they are certified.
4. Repurpose or Donate Old Equipment for Parts
To stay competitive and optimize productivity, you might need to upgrade equipment. Instead of throwing in the dump, try donating your used items to an organization that removes the usable parts and repurposes them, keeping toxins out of landfills and reducing waste.
5. Go Paperless Go Digital
Now that most are working from home, we are probably using more of your own paper or doing things manually. If this is no longer practical, time consuming or wasteful, consider digital alternatives. One of the fastest and simplest ways to get started is with online forms. They are a great way to engage potential and existing customers and clients and they are contactless which keeps staff and clients safe.
6. Sign Up for Electronic Billing
If your service provider offers electronic billing, get registered. Electronic billing cuts back on paper use, delivery costs, fuel usage and will free up space that would have been occupied by filing and storage cabinets.
7. Use Non-toxic Cleaners
We have all heard enough about the many ways we spread germs and viruses to each other. A simple, effective way to keep germs at bay is to use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, kill germs, kill bacteria and freshen the air on hard surfaces. These are great alternatives to expensive chemicals.
What other Earth Day tips do you have? Let’s hear them, comment below!