In 2022, energy prices rose by 8%, with electricity costing $0.14 per hour. People find themselves spending a large portion of their income on energy bills.
To reduce monthly expenditure, many are investing in energy-efficient technologies. Not only do they decrease energy consumption, but they are also reliable and automatic, enhancing comfort and convenience. Alongside this, a reduction in reliance on energy helps reduce the carbon-dioxide footprint of homes, too, as fossil fuels remain the main source of electricity generation. Here are a few energy-efficient upgrades you can add to your home to receive these benefits.
1. Smart Home Hubs
Smart home hubs connect your home’s technological devices. You can set automation protocols for each device to ensure energy savings through the smart home hub’s software. For example, you can command your television to close after a few hours of inactivity, or have your dishwasher run at night when electricity is cheaper. Most smart home hub devices control your IoT devices, which include thermostats, lightbulbs, fans, switches, door locks, smart radios and speakers, security systems, cameras, smoke detectors, and water heaters.
Some of your appliances will not be smart, so the smart home hub cannot control them. You can use smart plugs to automate these devices and allow them to connect with the software. They use Wi-Fi to connect the device to the central control hub. You only require Wi-Fi when initially connecting the device.
You can control the smart home hub program from an app on your smartphone and change protocols according to your requirements. The devices connect to your phone through ZigBee communication signals, allowing the protocols to run regardless of Wi-Fi or BlueTooth connectivity.
2. Smart Heating
A smart thermostat uses machine learning to detect temperature patterns inside your home and set an optimum temperature. This technology ensures your house remains warm without wasting extra energy. You can also control the smart thermostat from anywhere with your phone through Wi-Fi to ensure it does not run unnecessarily, or you can set a timer on your thermostat to save energy.
If you run a small home business that requires you to keep substances at warm temperatures, such as keeping wax or chocolate in liquid form, consider investing in heater control panels. They automate and control pressure, temperature, and level sensors, to ensure the substances remain in optimum state and you don’t waste excessive energy.
3. LED Lights
Using LED Lights is arguably the easiest way to decrease your energy bills. They use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. These lights are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, since they last much longer and reduce your bills, they are significantly less costly overall.
LEDs are available in multiple forms and lights, such as under cabinet lighting for kitchens, outdoor deck lighting, and spotlights. Diverse lighting allows you to decorate your home differently, suiting your style. If you want to further save on electricity, devise a suitable lighting plan for your house. Your light fixtures should be placed strategically to illuminate each corner of the room with even and minimal light. You can also use sheer roller blinds that let light in but provide privacy.
Endnote
People are shifting towards energy-efficient home technologies, such as smart home hubs, smart thermostats, and LED lights. These appliances allow you to consume less energy and save money on bills. They also make many home functions convenient by allowing you to manage your devices from anywhere. The government is encouraging such transitions as energy demand rises, as this technology can help reduce greenhouse gas production and reduce climate change’s effects. Consider implementing the mentioned energy-efficient technologies in your homes to save the environment and pay lower bills.
