Saving on Home Based Business Energy Expenses

A Home Business Article Contributed by Cassandra L. Keller

Saving on Home Based Business Energy Expenses

As a home based business owner, you may not be concerned with saving money on energy expenses, but you should be. While most home based business owners are sure to price shop when it comes to their computer, fax machine, paper and other office needs, the power factor is often overlooked. Don't let the kilowatt needlessly claim your hard earned income, instead take some steps to ease the financial utility pain a home based business can incur.

Plan Your Use of Utilities for Your Home Based Business

According to the United States Department of Energy, by simply turning off lights, ceiling fans, computer monitors and other items not in use, the home based business owner can save more than 30 percent on their power bill.

When closed for the evening, turn off your fax machines, printers and scanners. If these items are not consistently being used during the day, turn them off except for when you need them. These may seem like a futile move, but such items, even in standby mode, eat up electricity. Leaving your equipment also shortens its lifespan - that is double savings!

You can also set your computer monitor to go into sleep mode after you have stepped away for so many minutes.

Take Additional Steps to Save on Home Based Business Utilities

Be sure to place all of your equipment and devices on a power strip or surge suppressor. Not only does provide insurance in case lightning strikes or power surges, it allows the user to shut off the power with one switch. This saves electricity.

Deflect direct exposure of the sun by installing light and heat reducing blinds in your home based business office. This will cut down on cooling costs by reflecting light and heat. You can also install these blinds in other rooms of your home for additional savings. You may also find your office more comfortable to work in because the window treatments will help reduce the glare of the sun.

Window treatments, like the power bar, serve an additional role by preventing potential thieves from looking in at the expensive equipment you need for your home based business.

You can also save money by changing the type of equipment you use for your home based business.

For example, a flat panel display monitor uses about 70 percent less energy than a 17-inch CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor. Not only that, but less energy means less heat. By switching monitors, you can cur on your home based business cooling costs.

Also, look for computers and monitors that feature "Energy Star" savings. This means they were designed to save on energy costs which translates into less hear emissions. To learn more about Energy Star, visit its Web site at www.energystar.gov.

Consider Your Attire When Saving on Home Based Business Energy Expenses

Finally, the home based business owner can save on their cooling and heating bills by the way they dress.

In the summer, be sure to wear summer clothes that are designed to keep you cool. A key factor to keep in mind is that every degree under 79 that a house is cooled to can increase the power bill by 9 percent.

In the winter do the opposite, bulk up on your wardrobe by wearing sweaters and pants. Slippers and socks can also help keep you warm.