Actions to Take While Working From Home
As our community and businesses adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19, many of us find ourselves transitioning to a home-based workplace. We’ve compiled a short guide of actions that will help you maintain a commitment to sustainability, even as you work from home. Actions are adapted from C3’s Home Energy Challenge and the Better Business Challenge action suites. Explore all Home Energy actions and resources, and consider officially registering! To learn more about starting a Home Energy Challenge Team, email andrea@theclimatecollaborative.org
Give yourself a pat on the back: you can probably check this one off! Working from home is a critical method in mitigating the effects of COVID-19, but it also has the added benefit of reducing daily commute emissions. Transportation generates nearly a quarter of GHG emissions in Charlottesville, and almost half in Albemarle County. By telecommuting, you are protecting the health and safety of your neighbors and helping to reduce transportation-related emissions.
Tips and Resources
Telework Portfolio from RideShare is a guide to teleworking containing resources for both employees and managers new to teleworking. Section 3 includes some currently relevant resources like a remote office procedures checklist and a template for setting work objectives.
2. Have a Say
Important decisions are still being made in local government during this health crisis with procedural modifications to practice social distancing. We normally encourage members of the business community to attend local government meetings and offer public comment, but you can still add your voice without leaving home.
Tips and Resources
Consider signing C3’s Letter to City Council urging the City to adopt these policy recommendations.
Email County staff to applaud pro-business recommendations outlined in the draft
3. Turn Stuff Off/ Use Smart Power Strips
As you get into the rhythm of working from home, adopt the rhythm of turning off lights, computers, and monitors when they’re not in use. Devices that remain plugged in still can use “vampire energy”, which costs American households billions in unnecessary energy costs each year. Don’t let working from home rack up your energy consumption and costs!
Tips and Resources
Tip: If you have kids at home, involve your young coworkers by asking them to be light switch supervisors and turn off lights in empty rooms around the house!
Vampire Energy Costs: This webpage has some great infographics on how much it costs to leave your devices plugged in; it may be helpful to guide your priorities.
It’s important to find environmentally- and budget-friendly ways to control the temperature, to ensure you’re comfortable and productive as you work from home. Whether it’s chilly or warm during these early spring months, there are ways to minimize heating and cooling.
Tips and Resources
Tip: Change up the wardrobe! Working from home could mean you can ditch the business casual for a cozier sweater or a lighter top.
Tip: Figure out the naturally warm and cool areas of your home. Consider setting up your work station so the morning sun warms your seat, or so you get the most out of your AC.
Working from home means there’s likely a lot more dishes racking up in your “break room” than usual. Keep water conservation in mind by waiting to run the dishwasher until it’s full. The same goes for laundry—maximize water (and time) efficiency by waiting for a full load!
Tips and Resources
Tip: Challenge yourself (and other coworkers at home) to use just one cup per day. Get a little crafty and create unique markers for everyone’s cups.
Tip: Consider adding non-kitchen items you would normally wash by hand to the dishwasher as. Well. Such as dishwasher-safe toys, hairbrushes, or anything around the house that you want to keep germ-free.