# Benefits of the Virtual Office: Dramatically Lower Energy Consumption & Carbon Emissions

**By Steve Stillwater** · 2010-09-15

An estimate of the savings and environmental benefits of working from home or using a home office part-time was profiled in the April edition of [Inc. Magazine](http://www.inc.com/). The study estimated the effects on energy consumption and carbon emissions if everyone who could work from home-about 40% of the work force-did so half of the time.

-   100 hours per person not spent commuting
-   50 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions cut
-   276 million barrels of oil not needed (about 32% of Middle eastern oil imports)
-   1,500 lives saved from auto accidents
-   $700 billion in total estimated savings to business, including $200 billion in productivity gains and $190 billion in reduced real estate expenses, utility bills, absenteeism, and employee turnover

Add to those benefits three more: less stress, better health, and more time for family. For more tips and information on living a greener lifestyle, check out [my website](http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/).

**Tags:** carbon emissions, Category_Green Living, environment, green energy, work from home

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/benefits-of-the-virtual-office-dramatically-lower-energy-consumption-carbon-emissions)