Due to the global pandemic, many companies were forced to close up shop. Other companies adapted by asking their workers to work from home until vaccines were developed. Working from home may seem like fun to some employees, but it takes a lot of work.
A home office setup requires meticulous attention to detail, as well as optimal planning. The electrical setup component is also of the utmost importance, and requires ample planning and care.
If efficient and productive work are top priorities for you and your employer, then your home office electrical setup must be superlative. Here, we will provide the ultimate guide for your home electrical setup if you intend to work remotely in the foreseeable future.
Home Office Electrical Setup Tips
The majority of workplaces require a myriad of electrical systems and gadgets to ensure that employees are productive. Before you begin working from home, it’s essential to assess your electrical needs and consider consulting with electrical services to ensure your setup meets these requirements.
What you will need depends on the type of work that you do. For example, you may require additional lighting and/or extra power bars. You may need additional USB receptacles, monitors, computers, scanners, printers, and more.
Your electronics must also need to be protected from power surges that can cause electric shock and/or fires. Overheating is yet another common issue with electronics, so you will need to keep systems cool via optimal ventilation.
Having plenty of electrical outlets is strongly recommended before you begin working from home. You must also have enough voltage in order to run every piece of equipment in your home without jeopardizing your personal safety.
Now, you may have doubts as to what your home can handle. If you have any doubts, then do not hesitate to call a local electrician to ask for help. Most will be more than happy to provide you with a free, no obligation quote and consultation so that you can discuss your unique power needs in confidence.
They will help determine if your electrical circuits have what it takes in order to handle the extra demand. Ensure that the electrician is licensed, though. Not all electricians are created equal, so check online reviews to determine if they are as good as they claim to be.
Ask friends and family for referrals as well, as they will be more likely to be honest with you when compared to people online, some of whom likely work for the company you are researching.
Sufficient lighting is also a must in order to elevate mood, increase concentration, and boost productivity. Below, we go into greater detail regarding home office electrical setup tips.
Provide Extra Outlets
Electrical outlets serve as a basic requirement for anyone who wants to work from home for a prolonged period of time. Power boards and extension cables may get the job done, but they may serve as tripping and fire hazards.
Generally speaking, it is best to go with outlets whenever possible. If easy access to power is a priority for you, then you should install outlets in your cabinets, table-sides, drawers, etc. By doing so, you will be able to quickly and easily access power in any area or section of your new home office.
Dedicated Circuits
You can easily separate your electronic gadgets and work by using a dedicated circuit for your new office. Dedicated circuits are essentially a must if you have a plethora of electronic equipment and gadgets that you use frequently.
A dedicated circuit is designed to secure your electronic devices from the other circuits in your home, which will guarantee that your work will never be interrupted.
Protect Your Electronics From Power Surges
A sudden surge in power can cause utter chaos for someone who works from home. Such a surge can actually damage all or most of your home-office equipment. It may cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, in order to repair or replace your home-office equipment.
Power surge protectors should be installed in order to safeguard your laptop, desktop, and other electronic gadgets and equipment. Your precious personal and workplace data will also be protected from electrical power outages that can erase your information.
A whole-home surge protector is also strongly recommended for those who plan on working from home for an extended period of time. However, installing a whole-home surge protector may prove tricky or difficult for someone who is not technically savvy. Professional help is thus recommended in order to protect yourself and your loved ones, and ensure that the work is done in an expeditious and efficient manner.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting is strongly recommended if you want to brighten your home office. A bright home office will help boost your concentration and may also elevate your mood. Smart lighting may motivate you to work harder, and may reduce eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.
Another benefit of smart lighting is that it will save you money on your energy bill. For example, you can save up to 50% on your energy consumption by making the switch to state-of-the-art LED bulbs.
Another solution, which may save you even more money, and is also far more convenient, is to work in an area in your home that has ample access to natural lighting. For example, you can set up your workstation near a large window.
Take advantage of natural light; it will not cost you a penny, and is also good for your health. For instance, vitamin D is produced by sunlight. Vitamin D is linked to stronger immunity, as well as stronger bones. Many people in North America are vitamin D deficient because they don’t get enough sunlight. They need to turn to vitamin D pills or sprays in order to get the recommended daily dose.
You can avoid inconvenient and expensive pills and sprays by getting sufficient exposure to sunlight. Open windows to get a nice breeze and enjoy the sounds of nature in the background as you work.
Ensure You Have Ultra High Speed Internet
Not only is high speed Internet a must in order to be productive at work, but the Internet connection must be reliable as well. A poor connection can lead to lag or an outright service outage. Some outages can last for several hours or even days, which may make it impossible to get back to work until the service is back online.
You may also be sharing bandwidth with some of your family members while you are working from home. They may be using the Internet to chat with friends and family, watch movies, or play video games.
If you are sharing your bandwidth with others, then your antiquated router may not be able to handle the extra load. If lag and dead zones are issues that you are worried about, then there is a very affordable solution that you can take advantage of today.
Known as Google WiFi, you can take advantage of the revolutionary service by using it with your existing network. It is simple to set up, and usually takes a few minutes to get ready. Smart WiFi can give you a serious edge against the competition. Stay one step ahead and get your smart WiFi system ready to go in mere minutes so you can get back to work immediately.
A New Age Has Begun
The pandemic is far from over. Working from home has become the norm for many people across the globe. Some people actually prefer working from home because it saves them money on transportation and allows them to get some extra shuteye. Working from home also means they won’t have to worry about being stuck in traffic. Commute times become a thing of the past, and they won’t have to worry about being late for work.
As well, with gas prices hitting record highs, working from home can save people thousands of dollars that would have gone towards gas. Many people also feel more relaxed when working from home. By not having a supervisor or manager to routinely deal with, they may feel less stressed by taking the telecommuting route. Fewer distractions from co-workers and other corporate office-related issues may also allow them to become more productive.
Another benefit from working from home is that you can customize your workplace. A corporate office space may have several restrictions that you will need to adhere to in order to keep your job. At home, however, you will have more freedom to create a workspace that caters to your unique needs and preferences.
Create the ideal workplace atmosphere by setting up the perfect home office electrical setup before you begin working from home.