Smart home devices are more than just automating your garage door or enabling you to operate the appliances using a smartphone. They also play an important role in lowering your energy bill if used appropriately.
You activate smart-home devices using a smartphone or a dedicated remote control, and with a smart home automation system, you can control them from anywhere, put them on a schedule, pair them with a smart speaker, or even enable them to do things on their own.
By letting you control the things in your home that consume energy, smart-home devices can help you save energy.
Here are some ways you can use your smart home devices to lower energy consumptions which can save you money.
Turning Off Lights:
Your energy bill goes up whenever someone leaves the lights on. Smart lighting controls energy spikes by letting you schedule them and add automation to your regular fixture. For example, you can program your lights to turn off when you go the bed. Moreover, all smart bulbs are LED bulbs that consume 75 percent less energy than incandescent.
A smart in-wall light switch is another way to replace your existing light switch to control lighting fixtures. A smart plug comes with the same on/off and scheduling features for lamps and small appliances, and you can still install energy-efficient LED bulbs. A smart plug is a cost-effective way to control lights.
Preventing Water Waste:
The EPA has found that everyday household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually. And that is similar to the size of more than 1,500 Olympic-size swimming pools.
To conserve water, adding a smart leak sensor can make a big difference. It can be installed under sinks, behind toilets, around appliances, and other leaky points. When the sensor finds a leak, it sends you a smartphone alert so that you can address the issue on time.
You can bring your water preservation efforts to the next level by installing smart water valves. These valves are installed on the water main and can detect and alert you to leaks. Moreover, they can turn off the water in case they sense a burst pipe or cycling toilet.
Likewise, smart sprinkler controllers can prevent water waste outside by controlling the amount being used to irrigate your garden or lawn, based on soil moisture and plant types.
Regulating Cooling and Heating:
According to the US Energy Information Administration, the fans and AC units consume the most electricity in the US households, with some houses paying more than $525 annually.
A smart thermostat regulates your home’s heating and cooling to help you keep the energy bill in check. For instance, a smart thermostat can automatically adjust temperatures to optimal levels according to the location, usage, and the time it takes to cool your living spaces.
When you are not at the home, it adjusts the temperature so you are not using the AC or heat all day long. And it turns on the system as you are about to get home, so in the scorching heat, you don’t arrive in a furnace.
Or you can use a smart air conditioner or a standard unit with a smart plug for an additional control so you prevent wasting cool air when you are not at home.
A smart ceiling fan also lowers your energy bill. They run only when you are in the room and turns off once you leave, thanks to the sensors installed in them.
Or, if you don’t have a smart fan, you can go for a smart fan control that can be integrated with most existing fans out there and can be controlled from other smart devices such as thermostats or temperature sensors.
Plus, it is an affordable option compared to a smart ceiling fan.
Stopping the Power Consumption By Inactive Gadgets:
Many appliances and equipment such as TV, coffee makers, and computer speakers continue to consume energy even when they aren’t in use. This phenomenon is called phantom or “vampire” energy.
According to an article published in the NY Times, the annual power consumption by vampire energy is equivalent to the electricity generated by 50 large power plants.
You can use smart plugs to monitor the energy usage of your plugged-in devices. Or you can buy a smart power strip that can monitor the energy usage of six gadgets or appliances individually.
Just plug in whichever appliances you want to control—a speaker, a TV, or a computer—and set the strip to cut the power completely when these devices are not in use.
Although the individual cost savings won’t be used, they will add up along with other energy savings.
So you must have understood how to save energy using the control4 home automation system. If you are ready to install smart devices at your home or business, give us a call right away.
