Top 10 tips for sustainable homeworking

The rise of homeworking, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a significant shift in how many businesses operate. While this change offers numerous benefits—like flexible schedules and the elimination of commutes—it also brings new challenges, particularly when it comes to sustainability. For many businesses, much of the their carbon footprint has shifted from the office to the home, making it crucial for remote workers to consider the environmental impact of their new working environment.

What is the carbon footprint from homeworking?

The emissions from homeworking primarily relate to three areas:

• Heating (often the biggest contributor)

• Lighting

• Usage of IT equipment

As a business, influencing these emissions can be tricky and relies on effectively engaging employees with practical advice on sustainability in the home. This of often best summarised in a sustainable homeworking policy.

So, to get you started, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things you and your employees can do to make a difference at home.

1. Explore Renewable Energy Options

When your electricity contract comes up for renewal, make sure you explore 100% renewable tariff options. However, to really make a difference, it’s important you’re able to choose high-quality tariffs. Not all renewable tariffs are created equal – and the “gold standard” options like Good Energy are less well-known.

Another option is to for employees to actually generate their own renewable energy by installing solar panels. This can of course be a big investment, but it can reduce your electricity bill by up to 70% - and pay for itself in the long run.

2. Replace Old Lights with LED Lighting and Use Natural Light

Lighting is another area where small changes can lead to big savings. Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs can reduce your lighting energy consumption by up to 75%. LEDs also last longer, meaning you’ll save on replacement costs and reduce waste.

Even better, try to position your workstation near a window to maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day - although this depends on each employee’s specific home set up.

3. Use Power Saving Mode as Standard

Most modern computers and laptops come with power-saving modes, which can significantly reduce energy consumption without affecting performance. Using power-saving settings by default can reduce your device’s energy usage by up to 30%. This mode automatically dims the screen, slows down the processor when full power isn’t needed, and puts the device to sleep after a period of inactivity. It’s a simple change that can make a big difference over time.

4. Turn Off Laptops and Monitors When Not in Use (No Standby!)

Laptops and monitors continue to use a substantial amount of energy when left on standby. Turning off your IT equipment when it’s not in use, rather than just letting it idle, can save up to 50% of the energy typically consumed. If you’re stepping away for more than a few minutes, turn off your screens completely. In addition, when selecting monitors, account for energy efficiency in your decision.

5. Buy Sustainable IT Kit (Consider Refurbished Equipment)

When it’s time to upgrade your IT equipment, consider buying refurbished or sustainably produced devices. Refurbished equipment not only saves you money but also reduces the demand for new resources, cutting down on the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new products. According to a study by the University of Edinburgh, buying a refurbished laptop can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 75%. Always check for certifications like Energy Star, which indicates that the device is energy-efficient.

6. Dispose of E-Waste Responsibly

Disposing of IT equipment responsibly is crucial to reducing your environmental impact. E-waste contains harmful materials that can leach into the soil and water if not properly handled. Instead of throwing old equipment in the trash, take it to your office for recycling or find a local e-waste recycling center. The UK generates over 1.6 million tonnes of e-waste annually, much of which can be recycled or repurposed. Proper disposal not only prevents environmental damage but also ensures valuable materials are recovered and reused.

7. Heat Intermittently and Only the Area You Work In

Heating your entire home during the workday can significantly increase your energy usage. Instead, focus on heating only the area where you’re working.

This can be done in a few ways, and it’s important to get this bit right. It’s tempting to think that using a single electric heater in a single room is better than firing up the central heating system – but it really depends on the efficiency of the heater. Many older heaters are energy intensive.

Instead, a safer option might be to turn off radiators in all unused rooms. The central heating system still has to fire up, but it will reach the optimal temperature more efficiently. It turns off sooner and takes less energy to maintain the right temperature.

8. Explore More Sustainable Heating Options

If you’re looking to make a bigger investment in sustainability, consider upgrading to more eco-friendly heating systems, such as heat pumps or biomass boilers. Heat pumps are highly efficient, using up to 50% less electricity than conventional heating systems, and can significantly reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

Biomass boilers, which use organic materials like wood pellets, can also offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Both options may qualify for government incentives, further offsetting the cost of installation.

9. Improve Home Energy Efficiency (Focus on Heating)

Improving your home’s energy efficiency is one of the best ways to reduce heating costs and your carbon footprint. Simple actions like sealing drafts, adding weather stripping, and insulating your loft can reduce heat loss and lower your energy use by up to 20%.

For a more significant impact, consider upgrading to double or triple-glazed windows and insulating your walls. These improvements can cut your heating energy consumption by up to 40%.

10. Understand the Emission Balance vs. Your Commute

Working from home obviously reduces the emissions associated with commuting, which makes it easy to think that it's always a win for the planet.

But that's not always true - it's important to balance the reduction in commuting emissions with the potential rise in energy-related emissions.

It’s much more efficient to provide heating for 100 employees in a single, dedicated space (an office), compared heating 100 homes all day – especially if those homes are less energy efficient than the office. This might offset the benefits of employees avoiding their commute.

Whether working from home or commuting in is (on balance) best depends a lot on the specifics of your business and employees. In parts of the UK where employees tend to use public transport or walk / cycle to work (think London and other major city centres), you're generally better off commuting into the office; whereas for businesses that have rural locations, with employees having to commute substantial distances by car, it's generally better for employees to work from home. This can, of course, vary heavily depending from employee to employee.

How can I measure and reduce my homeworking emissions?

To really understand what’s best for your employees and the business’s footprint as a whole, you can send out a survey that tracks employee’s remote working and commuting habits in detail. Seedling’s employee survey tool automates this process, providing each employee with a personalised footprint – giving you and employees the data you need to make more informed decisions.

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