When I switched to working entirely from home, there were a lot of really great advantages.
I can now set my own hours and no longer need to worry about rush hour traffic or finding a parking spot.
Without the distraction of the noise of the shared office space, I am much more productive. I can dress in more comfortable clothing, listen to music I enjoy and take my lunch break whenever is convenient. The one drawback I found was that my energy bills significantly increased. I used to adjust the thermostat before my family left in the morning, lessening demands on the furnace and air conditioner. Once I was staying home, the heating and cooling system were responsible for a much bigger workload. I didn’t like maintaining a bunch of empty rooms at the ideal comfort level. I contacted my regular HVAC contractor and asked for some suggestions. He said that a series of valves could be installed into the ductwork to direct airflow and create zone control. I now have a thermostat mounted in each of the rooms. I am able to customize the temperature setting in each space. Because they are smart models, I have wifi access and can make adjustments through my phone or laptop. It’s very helpful that I don’t need to leave my desk to accommodate my comfort preference. I’m able to keep my home office at the ideal temperature during the workday without affecting the rest of the house. When I finish up work, I raise or lower the temperature in the kitchen and living room.