Five Smart Technology Options to Make your Home More Energy Efficient
Technology is advancing rapidly, and now anyone can have access to all kinds of innovations in the comfort of their own homes via smart home technology. In fact, smart home devices, which include things like smart speakers, smart security cameras, smart appliances, and more, are expected to be found in many more homes in the next five years. After all, improving the home has become a big focus in recent years, with more people wanting to increase safety and convenience by digitalizing their living spaces. Aside from this, another way these devices are drumming up support is thanks to their ability to increase the home's energy efficiency. These appliances allow you to save money and energy, protect the environment, and enhance your home life all in one go. As such, here are some smart home tech options for you to consider:
Smart bulbs
Lighting can make up 15% of a home’s average electricity use, but the right lighting choices can save money and energy for any household. Smart light bulbs are a simple solution for increasing energy efficiency in the house. These bulbs are typically LEDs, which consume up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Many smart bulbs also come with a dimming feature, helping you save more energy as well as providing lighting “temperature” choices. They can be remote-controlled, scheduled, or automated to prevent lights from staying on too long or when no one is in the room.
Robot vacuum cleaners
Robot vacuum cleaners use less electricity per unit of time, reportedly 15 times less than regular vacuum cleaners. Smart households can benefit from a robot vacuum cleaner as they can clean and navigate independently. Furthermore, they run on batteries and can charge themselves by returning to their dock station, minimizing energy use until necessary. Other than saving your home’s energy, they can help you optimize your own personal time and energy by allowing you to focus on other tasks in the house while the robot vacuum cleans your home of dirt and potential allergens on its own.
Smart plugs
If you’re guilty of charging your phone for too long or forgetting to unplug appliances, a smart plug can save you energy by automatically turning on and off on a schedule or letting you remote control them from wherever you are in the house. Some smart plugs even come with an energy monitoring feature, so you can know what is zapping up the most energy in your home and address it. Smart plugs let you immediately address the issue of phantom power, which costs the average household over $300 yearly.
Motion sensors
When paired with smart bulbs, motion sensors can help you control when the lights turn on and off based on movement in the house. When someone passes by a hallway or bathroom late at night, these light can switch on automatically, or they can turn off when no motion is detected in the room once everyone has left. Some models can also detect daylight and ensure that there’s still enough light for a space so the bulbs aren’t turned on unnecessarily.
Smart thermostat
HVACs are some of the worst energy suckers in any home. That said, you can make energy efficiency a priority in your home renovations by optimizing your heating and cooling system. Other than having it professionally installed with adequate insulation and sealants, you can install a smart thermostat to ensure that your home’s temperature is adjusted to optimal levels based on your habits, location, and the time it takes to cool your home. You can program it to adjust the temperature when you leave, and control it from your phone even before you get home, so your place is as warm or cold as you like when you arrive.
Written by Amanda Higgins, a freelance writer with an interest in technology in the modern age. She particularly enjoys learning about current tech trends and their potential impacts in various industries.
The Folson Group is a NYC energy efficiency consultant, helping buildings with all their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-related policies. Services cover the entire process, from planning to implementation and completion, and clients have achieved energy reductions of up to 40%. If you are interested in making your building more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, consider reaching out to The Folson Group to schedule a consultation.