Smart Home Devices to Save Electricity

SMART DEVICES PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO YOUR ENERGY USAGE.

Smart home energy management systems, like this one, provide data on where your energy is going. From there, you can determine which appliances drain too much power and take more control over your energy usage.

SMART DEVICES HELP YOU AUTOMATE YOUR ENERGY USAGE.

Home automation through smart devices takes the guesswork out of saving energy. 

An example of a smart device used to save energy is a smart thermostat. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling systems consume more than half of the average household's annual energy. A smart thermostat is a great entry device to save electricity. 

Smart thermostats save energy through machine learning by adjusting the temperature when you are coming home from work, getting out of bed or any other routine time you would change the room temperature. Smart thermostats also use weather data to change the temperature to save more energy.

Additionally, you can automate smart lights to turn on and off at certain times of the day or power on whenever you pull up to your driveway.

SMART DEVICES ALLOW YOU TO CONTROL HOME APPLIANCES AND FIXTURES REMOTELY.

Smart home devices give you control over appliances whenever you aren't at home. Did you leave a light on as you rushed out the door this morning? You can turn it off with ease. Did you forget to turn off a power strip with your TV and game console? Shut it down remotely with a smart power strip. Remote control for home smart devices makes energy management for your home simple.

WHAT SMART DEVICES SHOULD I GET FOR MY HOME?

If you're ready to make the smart device jump, here are three pieces of tech that can help you get started.

SMART THERMOSTATS

Smart thermostats can help you save 10-12 percent on your monthly energy bill. Most can be installed without calling a technician and are easy to set up. You can control a smart thermostat while you are away. Many advanced thermostats also utilize an eco-mode to determine the best temperature to save power.

SMART PLUGINS OR POWERSTRIPS

We recommend that you plug your devices, especially valuable electronics, into a surge protector to avoid damage from sudden power surges. A smart plugin, power strip or surge protector adds an extra level of control to your devices while you’re away. You can remotely turn off the power flow to your devices or set timers with a smartphone or computer.

Smart plugins are beneficial for home offices and entertainment setups. Computers, computer monitors, televisions and game consoles are notorious for draining large amounts of phantom power while in standby mode. You can turn off the flow of electricity to all these power-hungry devices with one click.

SMART LED LIGHTING

While LEDs are considered the best choice for home illumination, smart LED lights provide you with more management options than standard bulbs. From a variety of colors to remote control, smart lights can help you save energy. 

The most significant way smart lights help you save energy is by giving you remote access to turn them off while you are away if you tend to accidentally leave them on. One tap can stop accidental power drain.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR PURCHASING SMART HOME DEVICES

When you are looking to purchase smart devices, you need to assess how you plan to use them before you invest. Smart devices can improve your home's efficiency, but their effectiveness depends on how you use them. 

LET SMART HOME TECH DO ITS JOB

If you aren't willing to adjust your home's temperature throughout the day to use less energy, you won't see benefits from a smart thermostat. The same principle applies to all smart home devices, you still must make some adjustments to your energy consumption to save.

LOOK FOR OTHER ENERGY INEFFICIENCIES IN YOUR HOME

Look through your home for other inefficiencies before installing new tech. If you have a smart thermostat but have other areas in your home, like single-paned windows or air leaks, that aren't constructed efficiently, you won't see substantial benefits from smart tech. Smart home devices can only do so much to cover holes in your home's energy efficiency. 

Consider getting a home energy audit to detect where your home could improve on efficiency, and check out some of our top ways to tighten your home's envelope.

SECURITY CONCERNS AND SMART HOME DEVICES

While smart devices add a level of convenience and energy efficiency to your home, they can lead to security concerns. Hackers and other cybercriminals are getting better at finding ways into smart home devices. However, strong passwords, two-step authentication and secure encryption can help prevent smart home attacks.

Purchasing products from well-known, reputable brands can also help keep your devices more secure. Established brands support their products for longer periods with more security updates than cheaper competitors.

PURCHASE ENERGY STAR® PRODUCTS

Whenever you purchase smart home devices, make sure you get products with an ENERGY STAR® label. There are many smart home devices out there that claim to save you money on your electric bills, but products with the ENERGY STAR® label have been tested and have a track record of saving energy based on extensive field data.

Are you looking for more ways to save on your home's energy bill? Read more great content on our blog to see how you can take control and save. For more information on your home's energy efficiency, visit our contact page to get in touch with your local cooperative.