Here’s how to save:
Turn off equipment.
When you’re finished working for the day, or if you’re not using equipment for more than two hours, turn it off. This includes your computer, monitor, printer and other peripherals. Today, computer experts agree that turning a computer on and off a couple times a day causes no harm.

Buy ENERGY STAR® equipment.
ENERGY STAR rated office equipment — including computers, monitors, fax machines, copiers, scanners and cordless phones — use about half the electricity of standard equipment.

Consider a laptop.
A desktop computer with an LCD monitor generally uses at least 80 percent more energy than a laptop computer.

Put your computer to sleep.
If you’re still working, choose the power settings to put your computer to sleep automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity. “Sleep” saves energy — screensavers do not.

Unplug to avoid phantom load.
Many electronics still draw a small amount of power even when they are turned off. Look around and you’ll notice plenty of these “phantoms” or “energy vampires” — all those glowing LED indicator lights use power — and the watts can add up. Unplug to eliminate this energy waste. Get in the habit of unplugging cell phone, battery and camera chargers as soon as charging is complete. Ideally, you should have your computer and peripherals plugged into surge protector strips, which offer protection from surge damage, unlike standard plug strips. That way, you eliminate phantom load simply by unplugging the surge protectors after you have turned off equipment.

Switch to compact fluorescent lights.
According to manufacturers’ estimates, compact fluorescent lights use up to 70 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs.

Heat efficiently.
If you work from home and you’re the only person home during the day, why heat your whole house? To save energy, lower the thermostat, close your office door and use a small space heater to stay warm. (Follow manufacturer’s safety precautions). Or you might consider an under-desk foot- or leg-warming panel. These devices use only about 150 watts compared to 1,000 to 1,500 watts for a space heater. You can find them online.