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This is a collaborative post.
Do you work from home like 44% of UK workers? Then, you are probably aware of the on-going tax reduction discussion going on about home-based employees. Working from home doers affect your bills, as you essentially need to pay for heating and lighting during the day.
With energy costs going up and literally through the roof, managing a comfortable temperature level in your home office becomes a challenge of every day. As the seasons change, so do the temperatures. Even this odd and somehow cool summer can make it tough to keep your workspace comfortable. It is too warm for heating, but yet, it isn’t warm enough to work comfortably. That being said, we are bracing ourselves for the heatwave that will reach us once it leaves continental Europe. And this brings us to an important question: How do you manage temperatures in the home office without driving your energy bills too high?
The strategic use of fan
Summers can be brutal, and having a fan in your home office can be a lifesaver if you know how to make the most of it. You can keep things low-key with an USB desk fan that is plugged directly to your laptop. Those tend to have a low energy consumption, so you may not even notice any difference on your bill.
Alternatively, if you are using a full-size fan, aim to ventilate the room early in the morning so you can use the fan in a refreshed space.
Use Soft Furnishings For Added Warmth
As well as keeping your home office cool in the warmer months, you also need to consider how to retain the heat as the seasons change. Staying warm whilst you’re working is equally important, so you may want to add certain elements to your space to create a cosier and more comfortable environment. You can use large rugs to warm up a room with hardwood floors, or you could add thicker curtains during the winter to keep the heat in the room. Experiment with a handful of different ideas and you will soon discover the best ways to add warmth to your home office.
Ventilate sporadically
Should you ventilate every day? Absolutely. You want to renew your indoor air every day regardless of the season. In summer, aim to open your windows early in the morning, ideally between 7 AM and 9 AM, when the air is still cool and fresh. Timing ventilation doesn’t matter as much in winter as long as you don’t open the windows when the heating is on full blast.
This will reduce stuffiness in the room. If you are using a fan, it will brass fresh and cool air. If you are using a heater, it will heat fresh air, which will heat up faster!
Keep the harsh heat at bay
Regardless of the season, the sun’s rays can be relentless when they hit your window. This can make your office feel like an oven. So, it’s a good idea to invest in curtains, rather than blinds, as they will prevent the light from seeping through.
Blinds typically only cover the glass part of the window. While with made to measure curtains, you can also use them to cover the area around, under and above the window, which can control the heat distribution. In the middle of a heatwave, you can also add thermal curtains underneath your decorative curtains. They act as an insulating layer. These will keep the room cool by blocking the heat. They will also prevent temperature drops in winter, ensuring your heating system doesn’t need to work harder around the window!
Working in a comfortable environment shouldn’t break the bank. You want to create a home office that is not too cold in winter and not too hot in summer, and that doesn’t drive high energy bills. Hopefully these tips can help make a difference!