work from home

Decreasing Energy Usage When Working From Home

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
Laptop and Work From Home sign on a computer desk

It’s no surprise that in a post-pandemic world the number of people choosing to work from home maintains elevated. And while there are undoubted benefits, such as the decreasing of carbon emissions, travel expenses, and time – the rising costs of energy are becoming the number one downside to a home office.

In 2022 it was estimated that the average remote worker uses around 25% more electricity than a person working in a traditional office environment outside the home. While these statistics may sound discouraging, there are plenty of things that can be done to lessen the damage of your monthly energy bill. Check out our top tips for decreasing your energy consumption while working from home.

Turn appliances off at the plug

Leaving your electronics on stand-by is a common practice. However, turning your appliances off at the plug can make a noticeable difference to your yearly expenses. Don’t forget to unplug your mobile, laptop or other handheld devices once they reach full charge. Not only will doing so reduce your energy usage, but it will also extend your devices battery life. If you struggle to remember to turn your appliances off, consider purchasing smart plugs or other affordable smart home devices. Smart plugs allow you to automate your devices turning on and off using an app or voice commands.

 Switch to energy saving lightbulbs and turn off lights

Did you know that lighting up our homes is responsible for almost 15% of our total energy usage throughout the year? There are several things that can be to reduce this, starting with simply turning off the lights that aren’t being used. Form a good habit and always switch off the lights when you leave a room! Consider changing out your lightbulbs for LED’s which use over 75% less energy when compared to a standard bulb – they are both more energy efficient as well as longer lasting. Remember to make full use of natural lighting and when possible, set up your working space near a natural light source (e.g., a window, skylight, or glass door).

Insulate and eliminate draughts

Many remote workers don’t have the resources for professional draught-proofing, but there are other budget friendly solutions which can help to insulate your home. Popular choices include draught proofing strips for doors and windows, chimney balloons, keyhole covers and letterbox flaps and brushes. A good habit is drawing the curtains as soon as the sun sets, as it will help to create a further barrier between your home and the outdoor temperature. Thick and heavyweight curtains are often considered best for the job as they provide more insulation than those made from lighter fabrics.

Reevaluate your heating usage and opt for layers

While we know that completely turning off the heating is neither realistic nor pleasant, we’ve all been guilty of turning the thermostat to full instead of putting on a jumper. In fact, research shows that by turning down the thermostat by just one degree you can decrease your energy bill by over £100 per year! So, make the most of your winter wardrobe and layer up! If you’re especially prone to the cold, choose more insulating fabrics such as wool, which has been scientifically proven to keep you warmer than other readily available fabrics. Finally, don’t waste energy by heating rooms you don’t use – instead designate a working space and close doors to improve heat retention. Remember that heat rises, therefore an upstairs office may prove a more efficient working space in the colder months.

As a small, remote business we understand the importance of optimising your home office while not breaking the bank! If you have any queries you would like to discuss or require any additional business support, we’d love to help! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com

The Benefits Of Flexible Working

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
happy woman in a blue jacket sitting between two co-workers in an office

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Flexible working is without a doubt one of the most sought-after attributes of every worker. Over the last few years, businesses and staff alike have had to adapt and overcome countless obstacles, further increasing the rising demands for flexibility in the workplace, but what makes it so popular? There are many employment qualities that fall under the umbrella of flexible working. From job sharing and flexible hours to working from home, it provides options and malleable solutions, whilst allowing organisations to optimize their business management.

When exploring alternatives to the usual 9 to 5, many have already discovered an improved work-life balance and favourable outcomes. So here are the top 4 benefits of flexible working, as well as the prospective impact it has on your team, business growth and workforce:

Reduced costs

When it comes to business costs there are many factors that increase spending: office hire, travel, and recruitment to name a few. However, flexible working helps to combat many of these unnecessary outgoings by eliminating the root of the problem. While working from home has the obvious advantage of decreased travel costs; there are other hidden benefits from similarly flexible arrangements. Flexible working also benefits from improved employee retention – thus avoiding recruitment and training costs due to lower staff turnover, as well reducing the need for an expensive office hire thanks to home working and job sharing. 

Better For the planet

With transport being one of the most polluting sectors in the UK, cutting down on travel to and from work is a step in the right direction. Similarly, flexible working often mitigates the over usage of natural resources, decreases energy use, and promotes sustainability. Finally, recent statistics also show a lower paper usage, office supply purchases and general waste among organisations which implement flexible work.

Employee satisfaction

It comes as no surprise that happy employees are able to work harder and often to a higher quality, which is why they are such an invaluable factor of a successful business.  Flexible work arrangements showcase both mutual trust as well as an understanding of needs – which helps to achieve a healthier relationship and a stronger team. Long-term employee satisfaction is crucial for productivity, hitting targets and consistent results, which is why so many business owners have already opted for flexible and semi-flexible working arrangements.

Improved workplace diversity

The business world has come a long way in diversifying the workplace, providing equal opportunities, and striking a healthier balance, but there is still much to be improved. Flexible work options allow for the hiring of staff from various backgrounds and ages, as well as presenting options for individuals with health and mobility issues, consequently improving workplace diversity and inclusion. Lastly, statistics have shown that flexible work boosts the number of female employees; helping to improve the balance and making a much-needed change.

If you’d like to find out more about flexible working, have any questions or require any additional business support – we would love to help! Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

7 Alternative Workspaces For Home Workers

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support
Woman in a white stripy top typing on a laptop while sat at a wooden desk with a coffe cup

Whilst there are many positives to being able to work from home; flexibility, no commute, less impact on the environment, your own space etc. etc. Like me, some days you might also find it hard to stay focussed or motivated, or you might just miss a bit of human interaction! I’ve been working on getting out and about a bit more lately and thought I’d share a little inspiration on where else you can go to ‘work’ and still have a productive day…

  1. Cafes
    Pros – Most cafés have free WiFi and some even have plug sockets available for you to charge your phone or laptop. The environment is informal and social, without you having to directly interact with anyone if you don’t want to.
    Cons – If you need to make numerous calls they’re not so ideal, and you will need to buy a drink or two to validate your stay and make it mutually worthwhile.
  2. Libraries
    Pros – A studious, peaceful atmosphere perfect for getting lots done and taking time to think about larger projects. Minimal distractions and no need to be sociable if you’re not in the mood!
    Cons – Calls or lively conversations are a definite no-no and you may be limited on convenient plug socket availability. 
  3. Hotels
    Pros – They often have good facilities for working, and are also ideal places for meetings, with plenty of parking, refreshments and accessible locations.
    Cons – Check first if they have other functions or conferences going on. It could get very busy, very quickly, which might not be ideal for productivity.
  4. Co-Working Spaces
    Pros – Lots of like-minded people to surround yourself with, reasonable rates (most with a one-day option) and excellent facilities to ensure you have everything you need for a great working day.
    Cons – You’ll need to pay for the privilege, and might need to plan/ book in advance to ensure you get a ‘hot desking’ space.
  5. Outside – Beach, Park, Gardens
    Pros – Brilliant for being creative and plenty of fresh air to make a nice change from the stuffy office. Most ideal if you need some time to work on strategies or other projects – especially where using good old-fashioned pen and paper will suffice.
    Cons – If you don’t have a battery pack or glare resistant screen cover, forget about taking the laptop. 
  6. Chamber of Commerce or other community business associations
    Pros – Another good opportunity to work with others so you can bounce ideas around and get a bit more social. They also generally have good connections in the local area, so can be a great business growth resource too.
    Cons – You will likely have to be a member to take advantage of any facilities available and different organisations will have varying qualities of work space and environment.
  7. Other businesses you know
    Pros – If you know other business owners who might have a spare table, seat or desk, then it’s great to get a change of scenery and little interaction. Plus – it probably won’t cost you anything!
    Cons – Think about the type of business they are and what the atmosphere is like. Their set up might not be ideal for you, depending on what you’re hoping to achieve. 

With all of these options, remember to consider privacy and security. Investing in a screen protector and remembering not to log onto confidential or secure sites over shared WiFi is important.

Also think about the environment and your health – if you can, walk!

Hopefully you found this short blog useful. If you have any questions or want to chat through any ideas, please get in touch: makeithappen@mbsmih.com  /  01903 688789. We’d love to hear from you.