Green Office Tip: Your Lighting Matters
The tip for the day is: Use Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and Compact Flourscent Bulbs (CFB) that produce more light, last longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs, and use less energy.
LEDs are expected to drop in price and be comparable to halogen and CFB lighting due to new materials that are being used to produce them.
Benefits of LED lightbulbs
- Long-lasting: LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents.
- Durable: Since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.
- Cool: These bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu’s/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs.
- Mercury-free: No mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs.
- More efficient: LED light bulbs use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL) Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs. Also, because these bulbs last for years, energy is saved in maintenance and replacement costs. For example, many cities in the US are replacing their incandescent traffic lights with LED arrays because the electricity costs can be reduced by 80% or more.
- Cost-effective: Although LEDs are expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in battery savings. For the AC bulbs and large cluster arrays, the best value comes from commercial use where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive.
- Light for remote areas: Because of the low power requirement for LEDs, using solar panels becomes more practical and less expensive than running an electric line or using a generator for lighting.
The high cost of producing LEDs has been a roadblock to widespread use. However, researchers at Purdue University have recently developed a process for using inexpensive silicon wafers to replace the expensive sapphire-based technology. This promises to bring LEDs into competitive pricing with CFLs and incandescents. LEDs may soon become the standard for most lighting needs.
Benefits of CFB bulbs:
- Efficient: CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. A 22 watt CFL has about the same light output as a 100 watt incandescent. CFLs use 50 – 80% less energy than incandescents.
- Less Expensive: Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents. A single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 8 cents per kWh, that equates to a $45 savings.
- Reduces Air and Water Pollution: Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.
- High-Quality Light: Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the “cool white” light of older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs don’t flicker or hum.
- Versatile: CFLs can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used. Energy-efficient CFLs can be used in recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porchlights. 3-way CFLs are also now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch.
Although CFLs are an excellent source of energy-efficient lighting, they are not always the best choice for all lighting applications. Here are a few limitations to consider:
- On/Off cycling: CFLs are sensitive to frequent on/off cycling. Their rated lifetimes of 10,000 hours are reduced in applications where the light is switched on and off very often. Closets and other places where lights are needed for brief illumination should use incandescent or LED bulbs.
- Dimmers: Dimmable CFLs are available for lights using a dimmer switch, but check the package; not all CFLs can be used on dimmer switches. Using a regular CFL with a dimmer can shorten the bulb life span.
- Timers: Most CFLs can be used with a timer, however some timers have parts which are incompatible with CFLs; to check your timer, consult the timer package or manufacturer. Using an incompatible timer can shorten the life of a CFL bulb.
- Outdoors: CFLs can be used outdoors, but should be covered or shaded from the elements. Low temperatures may reduce light levels – check the package label to see if the bulb is suited for outdoor use.
- Retail lighting: CFLs are not spot lights. Retail store display lighting usually requires narrow focus beams for stronger spot lighting. CFLs are better for area lighting.
- Mercury content: CFLs contain small amounts of mercury which is a toxic metal. This metal may be released if the bulb is broken, or during disposal. New ‘Alto’ CFL bulbs are now available with low-mercury content. These low-mercury CFLs are available at our online store. For more information about mercury and CFLs, see below.
Source: EarthEasy – http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm
Green Home Office Tip: Online Fax Services
Creating a green home office would definitely be a step towards protecting our planet from unneccessary damage. And it is surprisingly easy to do as you’ll see from the suggestions below. In today’s consciousness regarding our environment, it makes sense to hellp protect our planet as much as possible. It is surprisingly easy to do so when you’re setting up your home office.
Instead of investing in a stand-alone fax machine, take advantage of the many online services available. Not only do you save money, but it’s also one less thing adding to your electric bill. You can check out the different features by clicking the links below:
And don’t worry about how you’re going to send hard copy (actual paper documents) to a fax number. You just have your scanner attached to your computer and scan the information into the fax program. It will attach the pages to your outgoing fax cover sheet and no one will ever know the difference. Except the trees who will surely appreciate it.
Home Office Furniture Decisions
Sometimes choosing the right home office furniture can be a bit daunting and, depending on your tastes, a bit expensive. So here are some tips that people just starting out might find handy.
Desks
Some people have found that their unused dining room table provided enough space for all of their needs. My personal favorite desk is the all-in-one cabinet.
The all-in-one cabinet (also called an armoire or workstation) looks like a simple armoire when it is closed. When you open it up you end up with a complete office. A side table comes out, there are shelves, a small bookcase, a place for your printer, telephone and a small file cabinet.
The only downside to the all-in-one-armoire is that you might feel a little claustrophic because it kind of wraps around you. However, in a well lighted area, this affect is minimized. And newer armoires (I purchased mine over ten years ago!) allow the doors to fold into the structure, giving you more light.
There are also more traditional desks, desks that fit into corner neatly and I saw a really neat laptop desk at Ikea that is attached to your wall and flips down when you’re ready to work. It also has room for CDs and other small items.
Filing Cabinets
You definitely need a filing cabinet to put your receipts, client information, etc. A place to store your reference books and work materials. These things will keep you organized, which is important not only for your work, but for your end-year taxes. If you have very small children I highly recommend filing cabinets that have a built in lock.
One of my headaches revolves around Michael’s (my son) “need” to rearrange my files. One day he’ll be a great worker, but right now he’s just making new jobs for me to do. I bought my file cabinets because I thought they were cute. My girls weren’t interested in opening and closing drawers, so I thought I was in the clear. But now that Michael’s on the scene I really wish I had purchased the set with locks!
You’ll have a choice between vertical and lateral file cabinets. Vertical cabinets are good if you’re primary use is to store records such as invoices, business receipts, previous tax returns, etc. – papers that you may not use on a daily basis. Since vertical file cabinets s are deeper than they are widemake sure that you don’t put anything you might want to get your hands on quickly towards the back of the cabinet.
I discovered that lateral files worked better for me when I was was working as a home-based travel agent and other virtual assistant jobs that required a lot of referencing of client materials. Because the file is longer than it is wide, it’s easier to find what you want. The lateral files cost more than the vertical ones, but the convenience is worth it.
Chairs
Setting up a comfortable home-office will cost you a few dollars, but you should not skimp when it comes to your desk chair. You’ll be in that chair innumerable hours so it has to be comfortable. I suggest that you audition your chair by going to the store at the end of your day. You know, when you’re tired and just want to relax. If you find a chair that is comfortable and soothing grab it!
My first chair seemed like it would work perfectly. The price was right, I was comfortable in it and it swiveled (okay, I’m really a big kid!). My fatal error was that I tried out the chair in the morning when I was rested.
What I found out after I got it home is that it’s not very comfortable after hours working on the computer. I didn’t pick a chair that had adequate lower back support. And that was really dumb because I have lower back problems (duh!) so I ended up having to purchase another, more expensive chair to fix the problem. What a waste of money!
And now three children later, my chiropractor and I have an on-going relationship. So I’ve been using my exercise ball as a seat instead of the standard chair (and my two cats really appreciate me not using “their” favorite sleeping place).
The exercise ball improves my posture, keeps me physically active (without being aware of it) and is a lot of fun to bounce on when my computer is determined to make me insane. Try it, you might like it …
Creating Your Home Office
Welcome to the ranks of the homeschoolers who also are working from their home. But before you head to Ikea to buy a lot of furniture, there are a few things that you should take into consideration.
After choosing what type of business you will be building, setting up your home-office is the most important thing you can do on your road to prosperity. So, only begin setting up your home-office if you have made a definitive decision about your business field.
Why? Because your business decision will affect where your home office should be placed. And who wants to rearrange things over and over again? I know my husband doesn’t … 
Unfortunately, most of us don’t live in a 5,500 sq. ft. home complete with a maid, chef and groundskeeper. Actually, my dream office would be like Nero Wolfe’s office. His office was very large with ample seating for clients. His walls were lined with books (I love books!) and his giant globe that his clients were drawn to spin at least once during the story line.
“Wow!” I think, “If I had an office like that life would be perfect.”
But then my son starts crying, his sisters are squabbling, the cats are racing through the house and the dog is barking. Yep, I am back to reality. And you know what, reality really isn’t that bad.
The Real Home-Office
Back to real life scenarios now. Actually, the minimum home office space requirements are a lot easier to obtain (and maintain) than Nero Wolfe’s setup. Actually, all you need is space for a chair, and a desk large enough to handle any paperwork you’ll be handling. Of course you need enough room on your desk for you laptop (or desktop) computer, and a place to put your printer.
I know that sounds spartan, but you don’t want to make the mistake of spending more than you’re bringing in. Remember, you are working from home. Unless your business includes receiving clients into your home office, no one will know (or care) what your office looks like. No one, of course, except you.
Home Office: What’s Your Style?
When people consider their home office, usually we model them according to where we worked outside of the house. So, we think of a room with a door. (I don’t know too many people who think of setting up a cubicle in the middle of their home.) However, before you turn one of your spare rooms into an office, you should ask yourself a few questions:
- If you were studying for a test, or in this case working on a deadline, do you prefer privacy and quiet or do you like having people and background noise?
This is an important consideration because no two people would answer the same way. For example, my husband needs to be locked away in a sensory deprivation unit in order to do his best work. That would be ideal for him. No noise, no distractions, no people.Now, my personality is the exact opposite. Being sequestered away from the hustle and bustle of the house would drive me crazy. Even as a kid I studied with music in the background, the television on while fielding phone calls.
So, although we do the same type of work, our office spaces would be in two totally different places.
- Do you need your home office to be exclusively for your use, or could you share your space with the rest of the household?
Once again, this is a matter of personal style. My husband would love to have a locked room where no one could see what he’s working on and/or move his work materials around. He is much more structured than I am, so this would be a real need for him.I, on the other hand, don’t really care where I’m working. I can easily work in my livingroom, move into my “official” office, or work out of my bedroom. As long as I have easy access to the printers I’m okay. I just need a file cabinet or bookcase to put my unfinished projects in once the work day is over.
Needless to say, my husband and I won’t be sharing the same workspace anytime soon.
- Do you need your office space to have lots of natural lighting and windows or do you prefer to be in a windowless space with artificial lighting?This is one thing that my husband and I can agree on. We both like natural light, so a windowless office would seem punitive. We’d probably just differ on the location. Since he still works in “Cubicle World” the idea of deliberately picking a work space that relies solely on artifical lighting would be depressing.
I’d like to be able to watch the children playing outside while I’m working. I like the scenery and taking mental breaks by watching squirrels chasing each other or birds flying by to get their daily bird seed rations. My husband, on the other hand, would prefer to have a second floor office with windows which would cut down on other distractions.
- Would you like your office to be compact or spacious?
This is another good question to ask yourself. My first answer would be “spacious” but because of my style this would just end up being one messy space. I’d take everything out that I intended to work on, forget to put things away and in about three days you’d need to dig me out. So, a compact office would be better for me since it would force me not to get too far ahead of myself.My husband would be okay in either. He is more precise than I am, so would have no trouble keeping his office neat, with everything having a specific location.
So, how about you? Compact or spacious?
My Roaming Home Office
Today I will share with you the story of “The Many Home Offices of CHK”. I’m sure you’ll find it to be quite entertaining (but that’s only because you weren’t doing the heavy lifting!)
Well, I started my typing business when we were in a tiny, teeny tiny, apartment, so my “office” was a small desk with a computer in my bedroom. That worked okay because my daughter was an infant and didn’t crave access to the computer … yet.
We later moved to a house and I thought my office would be in a little alcove in my living room. The lighting was great. I could see the great outdoors, keep track of my kids and get work done. Hah!
My spot was great in the summertime for the reasons I mentioned above. However, when winter rolls around, the sun spent several hours on my computer screen, making it impossible to see anything that I was working on.
Then there were the problems of getting beaned in the head when my kids threw their toys around. Oh, and did I mention that having a direct sight to the refrigerator isn’t the best way to lose weight?
So, I finally gave up and moved upstairs to the spare bedroom. And for me that worked. Although I’m in the first room that the kids have to pass to get to their toys and room, if my door is closed they (for the most part) don’t bother me. Well, that was before my son was born. He has radar and interrupts me as a matter of course. I think they like the idea that I can’t see what they’re up to. (Little do they understand that mothers always know when mischief is afoot!
And best of all, I had to do exercise to go to the refrigerator, so my new location cut down on a lot of unnecessary snacking and distractions (such as the home telephone). I had my business telephone upstairs (I used Vonage at the time; now I use Skype and GoogleTalk) which stopped me from having unneccessary conversations with my family and friends who just can’t seem to get the idea that “I’m Working Here!” (Another hazard of working from home, but more on that later.)
So now, six years into my work at home journey I am hiding in my bedroom to do work. My bedroom has a bathroom, so I can grab some drinks and snacks, lock the door and not be seen for a couple of hours. If Michael spots me I can’t shake him, so this has become my temporary office until he gets a life. Actually, he’s a lot better than a couple of years ago. He’s starting to develop a life apart from me, so I may be able to move back upstairs in a couple of months.
All I can say is that I’m glad that my primary business is portable — I only need my laptop to get most things done — because I can’t imagine what my husband would have said if he had to move real office equipment each time we had a new baby. He’s a saint, but he never aspired to being a one man moving company.
So where do you keep your home office these days?
Home Office: Common Pitfalls
Designing your home office space is fraught with many pitfalls. It’s easy to make extra work for yourself. Below are three of the top challenges that many people have encountered. I hope that the experiences listed below will help you.
WARNING: These ideas are only for you if you have a clearly defined business path. You don’t want to join the ranks of “cloudy thinkers” and end up relocating their offices a couple of times looking for the right place. What a waste of energy and time? (And believe me — I’ve wasted the time and energy a few times myself, and so have a few others as you’ll see below.)
Example #1 — Think and then rethink your first idea
Here’s one example of why choosing the very first place that comes to mind may not be in your best interest.
Take the example of G.E. He decided to start a stained-glass factory from his home. He picked his den as his place of business. He ended up in a RV parked beside his house.
Why?
Because he hadn’t taken into account how interested his young children would be in handling his tools and the pretty glass pieces.
Example #2 — How about that spare bedroom?
Well, depending on the location, this could be a great (or horrible) place to put your office. I read an example of a woman who was an empty-nester who decided to become buiild her business as a technical writer.
Since she had a spare bedroom she converted that into her office. Sound like a no-brainer, right?
The problem that she encountered was that her husband would constantly interrupt her, despite her requests to be left alone until lunch. She got so frustrated that she planned on moving her office to a rental location!
After discussing the matter with her husband she realized that the spare bedroom that she picked (right at the top of the stairs) was a magnet for her husband. He literally walked by her everytime he had to get something from upstairs and couldn’t resist chatting with her.
The solution? She switched bedrooms. She took one of the rooms that was out of his walking pattern. So when her husband took his daily walks upstairs, he didn’t see her. Out of sight was truly out of mind for him. Her production increased as her stress level decreased.
Time to Setup Your Home Office
Since you will be working from home, you’ll need to keep in mind your family’s traffic patterns. When you pick your home office space you probably don’t want it right in the midst of your children’s videogame marathons. Or be in the path of the endless trips to the refrigerator by hungry family members. So take the time to really watch how your family flows — it will save you countless moves from room to room.
You’ll also need to consider the type of work you’re going to be engaged in. If you’re a writer, you’ll probably be using your laptop extensively and you might want to print out your work for proofreading. If that’s a case you wouldn’t need a tremendous amount of room in order to get the job done. Now, if you plan on running a business that includes frequent mailings or product assembly you’ll definitely need to increase your space by at least an additional half of what you already think is enough. Here are a few examples to ponder:
- I have a friend who does frequent mailings. One of her greatest frustrations is her inability to setup her mailings in an assembly line fashion. Because she lacks adequate space things get misplaced often, which leads to wasted time and effort.
Quick Tip: Remember to add at least 10% of your intended office space for your storage space.
- You should allocate enough space to hold your supplies and items you infrequently use. Since most people use inkjets, you don’t need a lot of room to store the cartridges. I use my laser printer for most of my printing needs, so I have to make extra space for the toner boxes.Quick Tip: The bottom of a closet to be a great place to store reams of paper, laser printer supplies, paper clips, pens, etc. If you have little kids, the top shelf may be a safer spot.
And last, but not least, you should try to provide yourself a place to decompress. In my office, I have a small loveseat that I can use to give myself a break from working on the computer. Sometimes I sneak a cat nap, other times I use the loveseat to proofread my work or to make phone calls. It’s nice not to be chained to the chair.
Home Office: Use Your Available Space
If you look around your home you’ll probably find a few places you can call your very own. Here are some of the more common areas that people use in their quest for the perfect home office location:
- Spare Room: Most popular (and logical) choice.
Pros: May be far enough away from the family traffic that you’ll be able to have some privacy. Also, there is usually enough room to setup your desk and other office furniture.Cons: If you still want to use it as a guest room you could be jepordizing your home office tax deduction.
- Living Room: Usually the largest room in the house.
Pros: Very conducive for receiving customers/clients. Keeps your clients away from more private areas of your home. You’ll also have a closet for hanging up people’s coats and (in some homes) access to a half bathroom. Also a good way to know what the children are up to while you’re working.Cons: You may be in the mainstream of your family’s lives which could disrupt your workflow.
- The Family Room: Usually a large area and you can transfer the family room activities to the living room easily.
Pros: Family rooms are generally located near the kitchen and back entrances, so this would be an excellent second choice for recceiving customers and business clients. Great if you want to stay in the family mix while you work.Cons: May be too close to the center of activity in your home. Also, being so close to the kitchen might not be a good idea if you’re watching your weight.
- The Kitchen/Breakfast Nook: This large area could be a good spot if you need a lot of space to get things done. If your kitchen has a breakfast nook perhaps you could partition it off of the main kitchen.
Pros: The kitchen is the heart of the house, so if you like to be in the thick of things this would be the best spot. Many kitchens also have their own door, so you’re clients will be able to come and go without walking through your entire house.Cons: Since you cook in the kitchen, there’s always a danger of grease or other food stains getting on your work. Also, there’s also the danger of over snacking while you work.
- The Dining Room: Another great room if you need a lot of room to get your work done. Pros: Since many people don’t use their dining room for dining this can be an excellent place to setup your office. You won’t be displacing anything and you’ll have plenty of room for office furniture and storage.Cons: Your dining room might be right in the traffic path of the rest of the family. Also, depending on the location, you may have to use the livingroom to greet your business associates so that they don’t have to walk through the private areas of your home.
- Closets: It seems strange, but closets can make an excellent office if it is setup properly.
Pros: Closets are hidden and can provide a self-contained workspace that can be hidden away when you aren’t using it.Cons: You may outgrow it faster than you expect and then you’ll have to find another location. Another negative aspect is the lack of natural light — my sister “The Plant” would die without a room lit by natural light.
Would you like to give your closet a try?
I recently read an easy to understand article that shows you step-by-step how to convert a closet into a workable office. And the best thing is you need basic household tools to get the job done.
Things You’ll Need:
* Screwdriver
* Wrecking bar or crow bar
* Sander
* 100-grit sandpaper
* Spackle
* Putty knife
* Drop cloths
* Latex paint (in a light color)
* Paint roller
* Power saw
* Tape measure
* Bevel gauge
* Stud finder
* Level
* Sheet of plywood
* (3) 1-by-2 inch cleats
* Quarter round
Click here to get the complete directions.
Other Great WAHM Resources
Here are some great resources I’ve found that might be useful to the aspiring WAHM.
Double-DutyMoms
Working Moms have it all: Family, Home, and Career. All moms are busy, but working moms have even more challenges to deal with. You could say they actually have two jobs or “double duty.” You will find tips on childcare, cooking, organizing, budgeting, time management, and more.
Medical Transcriptionist Jobs
The real-world guide to medical transcription from home. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, we have the tips and techniques for you to be a successful medical transcriptionist, from resumes and finding work-at-home job to increasing your productivity once you’re hired.
The General Transcription Business Guide
If you’ve been looking around for information on this generaltranscription that you’ve been hearing about, the general transcription guide puts you in the right place!
Debt Consolidation Help
Locate information about debt consolidation help services, the purpose of them, taking personal responsibly for your debt, locate the best one for your needs and checking them out before you use one.
Spectrum Homeschool
Our mission at Spectrum Homeschool is to assist families andindividuals in the field of home education, general education andself-education by providing free resources, articles, ideas, andinformation including, but not limited to, curriculum, literature,lessons, health and special needs.
Educating for Success
As a stay-at-home mom, my main goal in life is to encourage women to become the best homemakers they can be. I believe that includes helping their children discover their gifts and find their calling in life as early as possible. The family should also support the children until they enter their own personal journey on the road to financial security.
