Are you using much more electricity working from home?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Just trying to see what the impact of my being in the house has on elec usage (mulling mailing, rather than concerned).

I boil the kettle more (5 times a day rather than 2)
I charge my laptop overnight every weekday (prior I just charged it if needed)
The light in my office is on most of the day.

I think that's it!

I do the same amount of laundry (just at better times if day for me)
The heating still just clicks on at 3pm for 4 hrs (I wear an oodie if cold when working then we use the log burner after 7pm)

All the other appliances just trundle along whether I'm here or not

I'm sure someone could work it out if you posted all the energy details of your appliances but it's not going to be a massive amount on just those things. Would you be saving on commuting costs?

Our electricity went up by £5 approx, mainly due to the extra gadgets in use. What did surprise me was a similar rise in my water bill!

This is more than offset in commuting savings and even things like having to replace more expensive workwear more often.

I boil the kettle once at the beginning of the day and use a Thermos / Airpot to keep the water warm for the rest of the day.

I don't often put the light on as we have good natural light.

I don't use the central heating (extra jumpers, warm slippers and fingerless gloves)

So really, it's just a bit of power for the internet / my laptop. I don't think that either are particularly power-hungry.

@givememykeys

I'm sure someone could work it out if you posted all the energy details of your appliances but it's not going to be a massive amount on just those things. Would you be saving on commuting costs?

Oh I'm sure I could calculate the exact usage if I get bored I was just curious to see what others have noticed really.

Interesting your water went up - we are not on a meter so thankfully no concerns in that area.

Definetly saving on commuting, for sure, even though that wasn't high. And I don't buy lunches (make a sandwich now or one of those noodle pots).

Good idea re the thermos - I never finish a full cup before it runs cold and do think the teabags are then wasted so I'll dig out my flask.

Yes, we’re on a prepayment meter so I can track it pretty easily. However, I used to spend £9 a day commuting and the additional cost in electricity is maybe around £1 a day so I’m still not spending what I previously was.

My car is very old and tiny, and I'm now at the point where I fill it (£45) every 4 to 6 weeks. We have a family car dh uses for work but as he has always worked out of the house that's not changed

Probably quite a lot more as our heating is electric. Normally it's not on during the day but I put it on downstairs when wfh.

Definitely using more electricity but it's not an issue compared to how much it used to cost to get to the office

You can claim for wfh expenses though?

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

You can claim for wfh expenses though?

Who do you claim from @GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing ? I did some work from home even pre-pandemic but have never claimed any expenses, how does it work please

Great thread!

I’ve been monitoring our usage. It hasn’t changed much since WFH. But cooking dinner has skyrocketed.

Unfortunately we’re on a prepayment meter (thanks previous owner!) and we’re on a standard variable tariff. I keep a close eye on it every hour.

Then by tea time it jumps up.

I’m trying to think of ways to use less power while cooking

HMRC/ gov website has explanation of who can claim and how.

Once saw a movie quoting cost and worth are subjective to people.

I am willing to spend a bit more to work in the comfort of my own home. The comfort is priceless !

Thanks @GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

I only get the £6 per month tax allowance or self employed expenses when I google, nothing on the first few pages anyway about claiming the actual expenses themselves as an employee

Because I wfh before covid I don't qualify for the tax relief unfortunately

20% here on our combined gas and electricity bill (not in the UK). Employer refuses to make any kind of contribution

@Diddlydeee

Great thread!

I’ve been monitoring our usage. It hasn’t changed much since WFH. But cooking dinner has skyrocketed.

Unfortunately we’re on a prepayment meter (thanks previous owner!) and we’re on a standard variable tariff. I keep a close eye on it every hour.

Then by tea time it jumps up.

I’m trying to think of ways to use less power while cooking

Would a slow cooker use less than hob/oven?

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

You can claim for wfh expenses though?

Not unless your employer is feeling very generous!

What you can claim is tax relief which works out at the princely sum of £1.20 per week.

@UserLibra78

Once saw a movie quoting cost and worth are subjective to people.

I am willing to spend a bit more to work in the comfort of my own home. The comfort is priceless !

Oh absoloutley! I was just curious.

eg 20% of £6 per week = £1.20

@givememykeys Yes, it's just the tax relief, not the actual expenses. But every little helps!

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

You can claim for wfh expenses though?

yes (tax relief that is) but you need to be careful in case the local authority decides you are running a business from home and charges you business rates. On balance, I'll cover the extra costs myself especially as I am saving on travel to London.

Both have been WFH on a 24 hour rolling shift, days & nights
Definitely Use more electricity
Use more hot drinks (free in office)

I ho early dont think its made much difference.
I tend to drink more brews at work than home. If I drink at home it tends to be water.
My living room is very sunny for most of the day so no light needed. I just charge the lap top.

Work isnt far away but I'm an essential car user so have to drive when I'd prefer to cycle but I still go out and do home visits so it hasn't made any difference there.