Winter Lockdown – Keeping Warm Whilst Working From Home

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• Winter Lockdown – Keeping Warm Whilst Working From Home

12 November 2020

With colder days ahead and lockdown forcing many to work from home, energy costs will increase to keep the house warm and comfortable.

Unless employees are offered an allowance by their employer, which many aren’t in a position to do so, employees will have to pay for additional heating costs required during their working hours.

Reports show that energy bills could soar by up to 18 per cent - equivalent to £107. 

Additionally, in terms of environmental impact, the rise in boiler use this winter will have an effect on urban air quality. A report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) shows that an increase in energy use drives up NOx emissions by approximately 12 per cent in towns and cities, which is enough to offset the last two years’ worth of progress on reducing traffic emissions. 

Layers, Hot Water Bottles, and Hot Drinks

Will Owen, Energy Expert at Uswitch.com suggests some ways to keep costs down and keep your home warm this winter:

• Install thermostats on every radiator – this way you can control the temperature in each room.
• Keep the thermostat down and at a steady temperature - keeping the temperature down by just one degree can reduce your bills by £80 a year.
• Fit curtains as well as blinds – this prevents cold windows from cooling down the room
• Invest in an electric heater – they can be cheaper than using the boiler to heat up the house. If you’re working from home, you can place the heater next to you so you can stay cosy at your desk.
• Bleed your radiators regularly – this can reduce your radiators from having cold spots and leaving you without warmth.
• Don’t forget to claim for working-from-home tax relief – you can get a £6 tax reduction per week meaning you’ll take home more money and contribute this to your energy bills.
• Wear layers of clothing – opt for a thermal vest as a base layer and wear more on top so that, if you do get a bit warm, it’s easier to peel back the layers and cool down as and when you need to.
• Use a hot water bottle – a classic hot water bottle can make all the difference to your body temperature, especially if you’re working from home doing a sedentary job.

Picture: a photograph of a hot cup of tea on a kitchen worktop 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 12 November 2020

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