Smart home devices are everywhere nowadays. From television screens to coffee makers, almost all appliances used in many homes across the world are becoming “smart” — gaining the ability to connect to the internet and be controlled or monitored remotely.
One of the most popular reasons to buy into this smart home craze is the potential cost savings. Devices that can save you on your energy bills are a big draw, and there are a lot of them out there! Here are five of our favorites:
Smart Thermostats
Heating and cooling are responsible for about half of the energy used in a typical U.S. home. A lot of that energy use is wasted when people forget to turn off the thermostat when they’re not home or when the temperature is set higher than necessary.
A smart thermostat can help reduce your energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your habits and preferences. For example, if you usually leave for work at around 8 in the morning, it will start to lower the temperature automatically by the time you walk out of the door. If you come home at around 6 in the evening, the thermostat will start warming up before you arrive, and make sure that you feel comfortable the moment you step into the door.
Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensors are another great way to conserve energy and save money. A motion sensor is a small device that can be placed in any room in your home. It detects when someone is in the room and will turn on the lights automatically.
This is a great way to avoid having to remember to turn the lights off when you leave a room, which can lead to a lot of wasted energy over time.
Motion sensors can also be used to detect when someone is sleeping and will keep the lights off so that you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night when you get up to use the bathroom.
Motion sensor lights are already common in South Korea and other East Asian countries. They are becoming more and more popular in the United States, so you can expect to see them in more and more homes in the near future.
Programmable Lights
One of the simplest ways to save on your energy bill is to make sure that you are using your lights as efficiently as possible. A programmable light switch can help with that by allowing you to control your lights remotely.
You can set them to turn off or dim at certain times of day, or even when you’re not home. This can help reduce the amount of energy you use for lighting and can lead to significant savings over time.
Smart Washing Machine and Dryer
A smart washing machine and dryer can help reduce power consumption by allowing you to track your energy use in real-time. You can also set them to run only when electricity is cheapest, which can save you a lot of money on your energy bill.
Additionally, many smart washing machines and dryers have the ability to pause the cycle if you need to run out for a few minutes or if you forget to put in your clothes. This prevents the machine from running for longer than necessary and saves on energy costs.
Smart Home Energy Monitors
Homes should have an inspection and be awarded energy performance certificates before a sale. However, that alone won’t determine the power usage of the household.
A smart home energy monitor can help you keep track of your energy use in real-time. This way, you can see where you are using the most energy and find ways to reduce your consumption.
These devices work by attaching to your main electrical panel and monitoring the energy use of every appliance in your home. Through a smart home energy monitor, you can determine if that new appliance you just bought is really worth the extra energy cost.
Some smart home energy monitors even give you tips on how to save energy and show you how much money you have saved over time.
These are just a few of the many devices that can help you save on your energy bill. Smart homes are becoming more and more popular, and with good reason — they can save you a lot of money in the long run. So, if you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy consumption and save some money, consider implementing some of these devices in your home. You won’t regret it!