Is Your Smart Home Energy Efficient?

A few years ago, the discussion around smart homes was based on the futuristic possibilities of having automated homes. Today, smart homes are no longer a futuristic concept as they have become widely adopted across several locations.  Thanks to advanced technology, homeowners can now equip their homes with smart devices that control lighting, security, and entertainment. However, the conveniences smart homes bring also come with issues of high energy consumption. The truth is smart homes can be energy-intensive, and if you don’t manage them properly, they can quickly become an expensive venture. In this article, we’ll look at what smart homes are and discuss how you can ensure that your smart home is energy efficient.

What is a Smart Home?

Have you ever considered having a home that can control certain things, from temperature to lighting, security, and entertainment? Well, you’ve become familiar with the concept of smart homes longer than you think.

A smart home is a residential home with advanced automation systems and devices you can control remotely. Smart homes allow you to enjoy the convenience of controlling your home with just your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Energy Efficiency in a Smart Home

Energy efficiency is the ability of a system to perform required tasks using as little energy as possible. A smart home becomes energy efficient when you use smart devices to regulate the way the home makes use of energy.

Naturally, when you have a smart home, you have better chances of increasing your home’s energy efficiency. The smart devices in smart homes help to regulate the use of energy easily, so your energy consumption substantially reduces.

Importance Of Energy Efficiency in A Smart Home

1.     Reduced utility bills: The energy-efficient devices that come with smart homes allow you to save money on utility bills since they help to reduce your energy consumption.

• Environmental benefits: Energy-efficient homes don’t release as much carbon emissions as regular homes. Thus, smart homes help to minimize the impact of carbon emissions on the environment.
• Increased comfort: Smart homes are usually more comfortable. Generally, they provide better indoor air quality, which makes it easier to regulate temperature and humidity levels.

Common Smart Home Devices that Help with Energy Efficiency

When you talk of energy-efficient smart homes, some important devices are necessary to achieve energy efficiency. Here, we will discuss some of the most common smart home devices that can help increase energy efficiency.

·       Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are one of the most popular devices for increasing energy efficiency in smart homes. Once you install them in your home, they get to work by studying the daily routines in your home.

The moment they become familiar; they begin to understand how to adjust the temperature in your home accordingly. This mode of operation makes them efficient at reducing energy consumption.

You can also control them remotely. You can easily regulate your home’s heating or cooling system even if you are not at home.

·       LED Lighting

LED lighting is another great energy-efficient device. Unlike regular incandescent bulbs, LED lights consume much less energy.

This makes them very useful in terms of energy conservation. Moreover, you can control them remotely using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Additionally, LED lighting lasts for longer. So, with LED lights, you can save money on replacement costs in the long run.

·       Smart Power Strips

Smart power strips are simply very convenient. They provide an easy and efficient way to reduce energy wastage.

When you have smart power strips in your home, they will help you turn off devices when in your home when you are not using them. Consequently, this helps you reduce the standby power consumption in your home.

This can be especially helpful for devices that are difficult to reach or that you often forget to turn off.

·       Energy-Efficient Appliances

Generally, energy-efficient appliances consume less energy which can help you save money on utility bills. When you want to shop for appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines, look for those with an Energy Star rating.

This rating indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.

·       Smart Window Shades

Smart window shades can help you increase energy efficiency by regulating the temperature in your home. They do this by blocking out sunlight during the day and insulating your windows at night.

Since you can even control them remotely, it is easy to adjust them as you would like.

Tips for Making Your Smart Home Energy Efficient

While installing energy-efficient devices into your smart home is a good start, there are also some things you can do to improve energy efficiency further.

·       Optimize Your Smart Thermostat Settings

Truly, smart thermostats can help you save energy. However, they’re only effective if you program them correctly.

Therefore, you should set your thermostat to the right temperature for each time of day. You should also avoid sudden temperature changes that can cause your HVAC system to work harder than necessary.

·       Use Natural Lighting

If situations where you can, you should take advantage of natural lighting by opening blinds and curtains during the day. Doing this can reduce your need for artificial lighting and help regulate your home’s temperature.

·       Automate Your Lighting

Automating your lighting can help you save energy by ensuring that your lights only come on when needed. You can use smart lighting systems to regulate when your lights turn on automatically and go off.

Besides that, you can also install motion sensors that automatically detect someone’s presence and turn on the lights. When there’s no one around, it can keep the lights off.

·       Optimize Your HVAC System

It’s important to efficiently run your HVAC system since it is responsible for much of your energy usage. Consider changing your air filters regularly, sealing any leaks in your ductwork, and upgrading to a more efficient system if your current one is outdated.

·       Monitor Your Energy Usage

If you want to manage the energy you consume in your smart home efficiently, you must keep track of your energy usage. This can greatly help you identify areas where you need to make improvements.

You can use a smart energy monitoring system to track how you use energy in your home. The system can help you easily identify your energy-wasting habits or devices.

·       Unplug Unused Devices

Even when not in use, many devices still consume energy. Be sure to unplug chargers, gaming consoles, and other electronics when they’re not in use to avoid wasting energy.

Conclusion

If you want to upgrade your home to a smart one or increase the energy efficiency of your smart home, consider contacting CNA Electric Ltd. Our team of skilled electricians can help you make your smart home as energy efficient as possible.

So why wait? Contact us today and start enjoying the benefits of a comfortable, energy-efficient smart home.