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December 4, 2018

Are Smart Homes Energy Efficient Homes?

While they used to be something we could see mostly in sci-fi movies, smart homes are becoming more and more common. It’s not just because of the convenience that accompanies smart homes; the thing is, even though they might cost a bit more initially, they can save you money in the long run. This is because all the appliances and devices that make your home smart are designed in a way to save energy. If you’re interested in learning more, continue reading.

Think about the lighting

Needless to say, if you’re looking for energy-efficient lights, LED lighting is the right option for you. Although more expensive than the usual lighting options, LED lights last much longer, and they use less energy. They are also much cooler than the incandescent bulbs, which means that they won’t be heating your home in the summer and making it more difficult for you to cool it. However, choosing LED lights might make you smart, but it doesn’t make your home smart just yet. If you want to go that extra mile, what you should do is install sensors that can detect when you’ve left the room and turn the lights off automatically. This way, you’d never have to worry about leaving them on again.

Don’t worry about forgetting

We all forget to turn the lights off from time to time, and that can be a huge waste of electricity if you don’t have the above-mentioned motion sensor. However, there are still those more dangerous appliances, like curling irons, space heaters, ovens, etc. You can’t exactly turn them off with a sensor, and forgetting to turn them off could cost you much more than your utility bill. Fortunately, by making your home smart, you’d never have to worry about those things again. You would be able to check just by using your phone or tablet, and – if you do notice that you left something on – you’d be able to turn it off from wherever you are, so you could continue with your day stress-free.

Get smart appliances

There are many smart appliances out there that can help you use your money more wisely by requiring less energy than their “normal” counterparts. For example, there are washing machines that need much less water for operating. Or, if you’re more interested in upgrading your kitchen, you can find many quality fridges, like a smart Bosch kitchen appliances, which would surely come in handy. You can control it via Wi-Fi, it works with virtual assistants, and it’s Energy Star certified, which means that it would definitely pay off in more ways than one.  

Take care of your garden

If you have a gorgeous lawn, you probably know how much effort it takes to maintain it. Luckily, your smart home could help you even there. For example, you could get a smart sprinkler system, which is amazing for both saving money and not wasting water. Most of such systems know when it’s supposed to rain even before you do, and they can ensure that your sprinklers are not running during a rainy day. They can also be controlled via your phone, so even if you forget to turn the sprinklers on before leaving for work, you can still make sure that your lawn is getting everything it needs.

Invest in an energy efficient thermostat

Investing in a smart thermostat is a smart decision for many reasons. First, smart thermostats can tell you when you should cut back on cooling or heating in order to save some money. Second, some of them also have room sensors, so they can shut down automatically when they detect that there’s nobody home. Third, you can always let the thermostat adjust the temperature automatically, so you don’t have to even think about it. Finally, there are many energy companies that offer discounts for their customers who choose to buy a smart thermostat, so it’s quite an affordable option as well.

 

With all that in mind, it’s safe to say that a smart home is definitely an energy-efficient home as well. All the above-listed devices and appliances are built with a purpose to use less energy and thus save you more money in the long run. So, if you’re thinking about making your home smart, you can rest assured that it would pay off in no time.

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