Have you found yourself working more often from home? 

Working from home can be filled with distractions, and that includes dealing with drafts and fluctuating temperatures in your home office. A persistently drafty office coupled with a rising power bill becomes that much more noticeable when we are home all day.

Addressing these challenges is easier than you might think. Small upgrades can keep your home office cozy and comfortable and ensure you remain productive.

Cold weather upgrades

How to make your home office more comfortable

Making small changes during the cold months can protect your home from the chilly air and nasty winter weather. Sealing leaks in doors and windows and upgrading insulation can make your home and office more comfortable.

Energy upgrades not only protect your home and keep temperatures consistent but they are key to living a more energy-efficient lifestyle. Getting rid of drafts through air sealing and proper insulation can prevent your heating system from working too hard and reduce your power bill.

The Total Home Energy Savings Program offers money back on efficiency upgrades on everything from insulation and air-sealing to mini-split heat pumps to windows, doors, and more. This will help lower your energy bill, increase the comfort in your home office, and benefit the environment.

If you own your home you can get started with an initial Home Energy Evaluation. Through SaveEnergyNB a Certified Energy Advisor will conduct an energy evaluation for $99 plus HST, for homeowners looking to upgrade their homes and live a more energy efficient lifestyle. An Energy Advisor will inspect your home, from the attic to the basement to find out where you should consider making energy upgrades.

Your initial Home Energy Evaluation will give you customized recommendations to reduce air leakage and improve efficiency.

Among other things an Energy Advisor looks at your insulation levels, conducts air leakage tests, and provides you with a full report and an EnerGuide rating in compliance with the Natural Resources Canada rating system.

You may qualify for rebates on many energy efficient upgrades such as insulation improvements through the Total Home Energy Savings Program. Be sure to check out the program guidelines to see which upgrades you qualify for!

Small changes you can make today to make your home office more comfortable

There are also numerous small changes that you can do today to make a difference in the comfort and warmth of your home office:

  • Use area rugs in your office to provide a layer of warmth between you and the floor.
  • Make sure the space in front of your heaters and radiators is clear and not blocked by furniture.
  • Weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent chilly drafts from coming in your home.
  • Use special approved foam pads to spot-seal difficult-to-reach areas like outlets and light switches.
  • Use caulking to seal cracks in your ceiling, walls, and flooring.

Do you rent or own a rental property?

Those who rent have home offices too! If you rent your home, options for renovating are limited. But the five suggestions above can all be doable on your own.

Do you own a rental property? Up-to-date energy efficiency upgrades can extend the longevity of your building and attract quality tenants.

Implementing small changes in your home can make a big difference in the comfort of your office.