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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

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.