Energy Efficiency Tips for Smart Homes: You walk through the front door of your smart home, drop your keys on the entryway table, and let out an exhausted sigh. The day has drained every last drop of energy from your body, but at least you can relax now that you’re back in your technologically advanced abode. Or can you? Between all those energy-sucking smart devices, you may be wasting more power than you realize. It’s time to stop taking your smart home for granted and start taking control of your energy efficiency.
In this article, you’ll discover some simple ways to start saving power and money with just a few tweaks to your daily routine. Get ready to transform your smart home into an energy-saving green machine!
How Smart Homes Can Save You Energy and Money
A smart home is equipped with internet-connected devices that allow you to remotely control and automate your home. By using smart home technology to monitor your energy usage, you can significantly cut down on energy waste and lower your energy bills.
Use Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat lets you control the temperature of your home remotely using your smartphone. You can adjust the thermostat when you’re away from home or on vacation to avoid heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats can also detect when you’re leaving for work and automatically adjust the temperature to an energy-efficient setting. This alone can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 10% per year.
Install Smart Lighting
Smart lights, like smart light bulbs, smart light switches, and smart plugs, give you control over your lighting from your smartphone or voice commands. You can turn lights on or off when you’re not home or create custom schedules to turn lights on at specific times. Smart light bulbs are more energy efficient than regular bulbs, using up to 80% less energy. Smart plugs allow you to control non-smart devices, like lamps, with your smartphone.
Monitor Key Devices
Smart home devices with energy monitoring capabilities allow you to see how much energy specific appliances are using in real time. Once you see how much energy is being used by devices like the refrigerator, washer and dryer, and gaming systems, you can make changes to operate them more efficiently. For example, you may find that the refrigerator is running inefficiently and needs to be serviced or replaced. Energy usage monitors and smart plugs are two options for tracking energy usage of key devices in your home.
Using smart home technology to gain insight into how your home consumes energy is the first step to cutting costs and waste. Make your home smarter one device at a time, and you’ll be rewarded with a lower energy bill and a more efficient, sustainable living space. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
Smart Thermostats for Efficient Temperature Control
Programmable Thermostats
One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy usage is by installing a programmable thermostat. These allow you to automate your home’s temperature settings based on your lifestyle. Set the thermostat to lower temperatures when you’re away at work or higher temperatures at night when you’re sleeping. Programmable thermostats can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs each year.
Smart Thermostats
For even more control and energy savings, consider a smart thermostat. These connect to your Wi-Fi and allow you to remotely adjust the temperature from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Many smart thermostats can learn your habits and preferences over time and adjust the temperature accordingly. Popular options like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee Smart Thermostat can save up to 23% annually on energy bills according to the companies.
Additional Benefits
Smart thermostats provide additional benefits beyond energy efficiency. Many offer useful features like:
- Remote Temperature Control – Adjust from anywhere using your smart device.
- Geofencing – Detect when you’re leaving or approaching your home to adjust the temperature.
- Detailed Energy Reports – See your heating and cooling usage to make better adjustments.
- Works With Smart Home Devices – Integrate with other smart devices like smart lights, locks, and voice assistants.
- Home Security – Some thermostats have motion sensors to detect activity in your home.
Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the best ways to save energy and money in your home. Take control of the temperature and start reaping the rewards of an efficient, automated smart home. Your energy bills and the planet will thank you.
Invest in ENERGY STAR Certified Smart Devices and Appliances
ENERGY STAR certified smart devices and appliances are designed to be more energy efficient without compromising on performance or functionality. When building a smart home, choose smart plugs, smart thermostats, smart lights and other connected devices with the ENERGY STAR label to maximize energy savings and minimize energy usage.
Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat lets you remotely control the temperature in your home. ENERGY STAR certified models can save an average of $50 per year on heating and cooling costs. Smart thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee Smart Thermostat use built-in sensors and algorithms to optimize the temperature based on your habits and preferences. They can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away from home or sleeping to avoid wasting energy.
Smart Plugs and Smart Lighting
Smart plugs and smart light bulbs give you remote control over lights and small appliances. With a smart plug, you can schedule lamps, fans and electronics to turn on and off automatically or control them remotely with an app. Smart light bulbs like Philips Hue can be dimmed, scheduled and grouped together into rooms or zones. Choose ENERGY STAR certified smart plugs and bulbs to maximize the energy efficiency of these connected devices.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers are becoming more advanced and energy efficient. Brands like Samsung, LG, GE and Whirlpool offer smart appliances with innovative features like remote monitoring, scheduling and diagnostics. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to find appliances that meet or exceed federal standards for energy efficiency. Smart appliances can save hundreds of dollars per year in operating costs compared to standard models.
By investing in ENERGY STAR certified smart devices and appliances for your home, you’ll enjoy the latest technology and convenience of home automation while using less energy and saving money. Making your home more energy efficient is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental footprint and utility bills.
Use Smart Plugs to Reduce Energy Waste
Smart plugs are one of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient. These nifty little devices allow you to control anything plugged into them using an app on your phone or through voice commands using a smart speaker.
Automate Devices
Use smart plugs to automate devices in your home like fans, lighting, small appliances and electronics. For example, you can set lights or a fan to turn on or off at certain times. This ensures these devices are only running when needed and not left on accidentally.
Monitor Energy Usage
Smart plugs give you insight into how much energy each connected device is using. You may find that some devices draw power even when turned off or in standby mode. Use this information to make changes, like turning devices fully off when not in use or replacing inefficient devices. Some smart plug models can give you real-time data on energy usage through their mobile app or smart display.
Cut Power Remotely
Need to turn something off in a hurry but aren’t home? With a smart plug, you can cut the power supply to any connected device using your smartphone. This is useful for things like shutting off devices you forgot to turn off before leaving the house or turning off the TV when it’s time for your kids to go to bed.
Smart plugs are an easy and affordable way to gain more control over the energy usage in your smart home. Start with just one or two in areas where you want to automate devices or get better insight into how much power they draw. As your needs change or expand, you can add more smart plugs to control additional areas of your home. Using them in combination with other smart home technologies like smart thermostats, security systems and voice assistants provides the most benefit. But smart plugs alone can still help reduce energy waste and lower utility bills.
Automate Lighting With Smart Bulbs and Natural Light
One of the easiest ways to save energy in your smart home is by automating your lighting. Smart bulbs like Philips Hue or LIFX allow you to control and schedule your lights using your smart home hub or a mobile app. You can set schedules to automatically turn lights on or off when you’re away from home to make it appear occupied, or create routines to dim the lights in the evening for a cozier ambiance.
Many smart bulbs are also compatible with home security systems and motion sensors so they can turn on when motion is detected, then automatically turn off after a period of inactivity. This is great for outdoor spotlights, hallways or the garage. Using smart bulbs, you’ll never accidentally leave a light on again and you can say goodbye to wasteful energy usage.
In addition to smart bulbs, take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Open your blinds and curtains during the day to let the sunlight in. Not only will this brighten up your home, but it can also help reduce your heating costs in the winter. Installing skylights or solar tubes are other great ways to maximize natural light in your home.
At night, use dimmers, motion sensors or timers on your smart bulbs to provide only the amount of light you need. There’s no need to have all the lights in your home blazing at full power in the evening. Dim floor and table lamps for a cozier feel while keeping overhead lighting at a lower level. Your eyes will adjust, and you’ll end up saving energy in the process.
Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy bills in a smart home. Take control of your lighting, use it efficiently and let the sun do its job during the day. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
Monitor Energy Usage With Smart Energy Management Systems
Smart home energy management systems allow you to track your energy usage and costs in real-time so you can make changes to reduce waste. Many utility companies offer free smart thermostats and energy monitoring systems you can connect to your smart home devices. These give you insight into how much energy each appliance is using so you can make better choices.
For example, once you see how much energy your gaming console or entertainment center draws when idle, you’ll make sure to turn them completely off when not in use. A smart thermostat can detect when you’re away from home and automatically adjust the temperature to save energy. Smart plugs let you control lamps, electronics and small appliances remotely so you can turn them off if left on by accident.
Using a smartphone app connected to smart energy monitors, you’ll get customized tips for saving based on your usage patterns. The app shows your energy usage over time so you can see the impact of any changes you make. You might find that running the dishwasher only when full instead of daily saves over $100 per year. Replacing old bulbs with LED smart bulbs that you can dim or turn off by phone when not needed could cut lighting costs by 30% or more.
Making your home more energy efficient with smart technology helps the environment and saves you money. Look for Energy Star certified products which meet high standards for efficiency and consider solar panels or a smart power strip with timers and surge protection. A few smart upgrades and consistent monitoring of your energy consumption can significantly reduce waste and your energy bill. Take control of your energy usage today with smart home solutions for a greener tomorrow.
Optimize Energy Efficiency With Smart Home Security
As technology improves, so do the ways we can increase energy efficiency in our homes. Smart home devices are becoming more advanced, affordable and accessible, allowing us to easily monitor energy usage and make changes that reduce waste.
One of the simplest ways to cut energy costs is by installing a smart thermostat. These nifty devices can adjust the temperature in your home based on your preferences and usage patterns. Many smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature from your phone so you can turn down the heat or AC when you’re away from home or sleeping. Studies show smart thermostats can help reduce energy usage by up to 10% per year.
Smart lighting is another easy way to gain more control over your energy efficiency. Smart bulbs like Philips Hue or LIFX allow you to automate and dim lights, as well as turn them on and off using voice commands or an app. You can set schedules to turn on lights at dusk and off at bedtime. Smart plugs take this a step further by giving you the ability to control any device – like lamps, TVs or small appliances – with an app or voice assistant.
To get a clear picture of how your home is using energy, smart energy monitoring devices can provide real-time data on your usage and costs. Products like Sense Energy Monitor and Neurio Energy Tracker attach to your breaker box to give you a device-by-device analysis of energy usage. They provide personalized tips for cutting waste and can alert you to devices that are using energy even when turned off. Some utility companies also offer free smart thermostats or monitoring tools to help customers save energy.
Making your home smarter and more energy efficient is easier than ever. With smart devices handling many tasks automatically, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing you have more control over energy usage and costs. Small changes can add up to big savings, so start optimizing your home’s efficiency today.
Choose Solar Panels for Your Smart Home
Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to make your smart home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can generate your own renewable energy and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
With smart solar panels, you can monitor energy production and usage from an app on your phone. Many panels come with built-in sensors so you can see how much energy is being generated in real-time and determine the best times to run high-energy devices. Some solar systems are also compatible with smart home platforms like SmartThings so you can create automations to optimize when certain appliances turn on based on energy availability and rates.
The initial cost of solar panels can be high, but many utility companies and governments offer rebates and tax incentives for installing a residential solar system. You’ll also start saving on your electric bill as soon as the panels are installed and providing energy. The average payback period for the cost of solar panels is 8-12 years, and panels usually last 25-30 years. So after the payback period, you’ll continue generating virtually free energy and savings.
To maximize savings, choose energy efficient smart home devices that can run on solar energy during the day like smart thermostats, lighting, and plugs. Use monitoring apps to track how much energy your smart devices are using so you can make adjustments to reduce waste. Little changes like turning off lights when leaving a room, using fans instead of AC when possible, and avoiding phantom loads from devices in standby mode can add up to big savings and allow your solar panels to provide more of the energy for your smart home.
Going solar is one of the best investments you can make for lowering energy costs, reducing environmental impact, and gaining more control and automation of your smart home. Take advantage of the natural power of the sun and innovative solar technology to save energy and money for years to come.
Energy Efficiency Tips for Smart Homes FAQs
Many smart home devices are designed to improve energy efficiency and help lower energy costs. Here are some tips to maximize the energy savings in your smart home:
Use a smart thermostat to remotely control the temperature in your home. Program it to adjust the temperature automatically when you’re away or sleeping. This can save energy since you’re only heating or cooling the home when needed. Look for an Energy Star certified thermostat that can be controlled from your smartphone.
Install smart plugs and connect devices like lamps, TVs, and small appliances to them. The smart plugs allow you to remotely turn these devices on and off using an app on your phone or with voice commands. This makes it easy to avoid energy waste by turning devices fully off when not in use instead of leaving them in standby mode.
Use smart lighting like LED bulbs, smart switches and motion sensors. LEDs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Smart switches and motion sensors automatically turn lights on and off for you. Place motion sensors in rooms you use infrequently like closets, basements and attics.
Monitor your energy usage with smart energy monitors and trackers. These devices connect to your electric meter or panel to show you real-time and historical data about the energy consumption of your whole home as well as specific devices and circuits. Identify where you can cut back your usage and set energy budgets and alerts.
Consider solar panels, a connected battery and an energy management system. The solar panels can generate renewable energy for your home. The battery stores excess energy for use when your solar panels are not producing energy. And the energy management system monitors and controls these technologies to maximize energy savings. This combination of smart home technologies can significantly reduce your dependence on the energy grid.
Ask your utility company about energy efficiency programs and rebates for smart thermostats, lighting, appliances, and other energy saving upgrades. Many offer free smart thermostats, LED bulbs, and energy audits. Take advantage of these programs to save money on the technologies that can help lower your bills.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a bunch of easy ways to make your smart home more energy efficient. By taking small steps like programming your thermostat, swapping out old bulbs, and monitoring your usage, you’ll be well on your way to savings. Remember, every little bit counts when it comes to conservation. The planet will thank you, and so will your wallet! With smart devices, it really is that straightforward to cut energy waste and use your home’s resources wisely. And who knows – your efficient smart home may even inspire your family and friends to follow suit.
