Volume 18, Issue 10 | November 8, 2021
How To Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient
With working from home becoming the norm for many, you can
expect a significant increase in energy consumption. This week we will provide
you with some tips on how to make your home office more energy efficient as we
enter the winter season.
- Replace
standard light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. These light bulbs
use 25-80 percent less energy than standard bulbs, and last 3-25 times longer.
- Warm
up with a space heater. Conserve energy by trading your HVAC system for an
energy- efficient space heater. If you’re the only one home during the day, try
using a small space heater to stay comfortable inside your office.
- Rely on task lighting. Task lighting
focuses on small areas and gives you just enough light to perform certain
tasks. Use this type of lighting in your office by using desktop lamps or track
lights.
- Install window treatments. If you
have windows in your home office, install an energy-efficient window treatment
such as shades or drapes. These window treatments prevent heat from escaping
through the windows during winter.
To learn more about how you can manage and optimize your
energy consumption with WGL Energy visit our website or call 1-833-61-GREEN
(1-833-614-7336) to speak with one of our energy experts.
Source: https://www.homeselfe.com/10-tips-make-home-office-energy-efficient/
Editor's Note
Record Warm October
Week in review for October 31-November 6, 2021
On Thursday, the U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that working gas in storage as
of Friday October 29, 2021, was 3,611 Bcf. This was an increase of 63 Bcf from
the previous week, slightly lower than market expectations. Inventories are currently
313 Bcf lower than last year and 101 Bcf below the 5-year average. These
deficits are much lower than they were at the beginning of September, when they
peaked at 595 Bcf versus last year and 235 Bcf below the 5-year average. However,
we have now entered the withdrawal season and fears remain regarding the
supply/demand balance including this lower-than-typical storage balance and
increasing US exports taking advantage of Asian and European LNG prices which,
though easing in the last few weeks, are still very high relative to the US.
It was a very warm
October for most of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. At DCA airport HDDs
(heating degree days) were 70% below normal and the lowest on record. Record
high temperatures were also reported in Toledo, Columbus, Washington Dulles,
Baltimore, Harrisburg, and Scranton. This decreased heating demand throughout
the region, but because October can be considered a shoulder month, with
relatively small heating (and cooling) demand, the impact on the overall
supply/demand picture was smaller than it would have been for a record warm
December or January. Forecasts are currently calling for a return to
approximately normal weather for November, and there is little ability to
accurately predict the rest of the winter at this time.
The
12-month NYMEX natural gas strip (Dec 21-Nov 22) was down 0.8% and the PJM
Western Hub ATC (7X24) 12-month strip up 2.5%. Prices remain very high
for this winter versus both historical and forward market prices for future
years as shown below for gas.
Weather
Washington, D.C. Area Cooling/Heating Degree Days
|
May-21 |
June-21 |
July-21 |
Aug-21 |
Sep-21 |
Oct-21 |
Normal |
156 |
351 |
522 |
445 |
255 |
55 |
Actual |
119 |
348 |
192 |
492 |
241 |
92 |
Departure from Normal |
24%
Cooler |
1%
Cooler |
6%
Cooler |
11%
Warmer |
6%
Cooler |
69%
Warmer |
Cooling degree day (CDD) data is for the Washington, D.C. area and is
calculated by comparing the day’s average temperature to a 65-degree
baseline. If the day’s average temperature is below 65, there are no
cooling degree days that day. If the day’s average temperature
is greater than 65 degrees, then subtract 65 from the average
temperature to find the number of cooling degree days.
*Heating degree day (HDD) data is for the Washington, D.C. area and
is calculated by comparing the day’s average temperature to a 65 degree
baseline. If the day’s average temperature is above 65, there are no
heating degree days that day. If the day’s average temperature is less
than 65 degrees, then subtract that average temperature from 65 to find
the number of heating degree days.
|