The Best Ways to Save Energy in a Smart Home

By: Jane Marsh

More people are searching for ways to shrink their personal emissions as global environmental awareness rises. Smart homes are becoming popular sustainability-enhancement methods, reducing residential energy consumption. The devices use the Internet of Things (IoT) to perform autonomous functions.

They also connect to homeowners’ smartphones using Wi-Fi, helping them control their appliances remotely. Each smart device helps residents improve their energy savings in unique ways.

Common Forms of Residential Energy Loss

Globally, the residential sector consumes nearly 25% of the energy supply. Most of a home’s energy use comes from the heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system and lighting.

Heating and cooling devices consume about 35% of a resident’s energy supply on average. The high power consumption rate contributes to greenhouse gas emissions because fossil fuels are the most significant global energy source. Inefficient HVAC systems also increase an individual’s utility bill.

The second biggest household energy consumer is the lighting system. Lights use about 17% of the residential power supply. Conventional incandescent bulbs increase a homeowner’s carbon footprint, causing atmospheric degradation.

Residents look to smart devices when increasing their home’s sustainability because they minimize the enhanced greenhouse effect. When emissions invade the atmosphere, they interfere with Earth’s ability to maintain life-sufficient surface temperatures. Reducing one’s energy use decreases atmospheric pollution, improving global environmental conservation.

Improve a Home’s Sustainability With Smart Thermostats

One of the most effective ways to conserve residential energy is by installing a smart thermostat. The technology connects to a home’s Wi-Fi server, helping residents control the systems remotely. Many homeowners forget to set their thermostats to an energy-efficient temperature in the winter before leaving for work.

Wi-Fi connections pair homeowners’ smartphones with their thermostats, helping them adjust indoor temperatures from anywhere. Individuals can also program their temperature control systems from their cellphones to create a high-efficiency heating and cooling schedule. The technology additionally helps residents reduce their energy consumption by utilizing real-time weather readings.

Smart thermostats evaluate weather predictions online and adjust indoor temperatures to prevent energy waste. The system may shut down on cool summer nights, allowing outdoor air to reduce indoor heat. Homeowners can significantly increase their properties’ energy efficiency when utilizing this feature.

Reduce Energy Vampires With Smart Power Strips

Another useful smart home feature helping residents reduce energy waste is an intelligent power strip. The technology functions similarly to a conventional power strip, and it contains unique sustainability-enhancing features. It connects to residential appliances to track battery charges and consumer engagement.

When individuals charge their smartphones and tablets overnight, they continue pulling electricity even after reaching full power. Similarly, desktops, microwaves, coffee machines and other appliances consume energy when users are absent. Clocks, updates and other functions increase a device’s energy pull throughout the day.

Smart power strips can turn off appliances’ electricity supplies when they reach a full charge or users are sleeping. Over time, the autonomous system can effectively shrink an individual’s utility bill and carbon footprint.

Enhance Natural Lighting With Smart Shades

Homeowners questioning how to save energy may consider adding smart shades. The blinds connect to the internet, helping individuals monitor and regulate indoor lighting. Many residents rely on incandescent lights to illuminate their homes when natural lighting would suffice.

Like smart thermostats, the blinds use their Wi-Fi connection to access local weather predictions. The shades remain open during sunny days, helping individuals minimize their reliance on electricity-driven lights. The systems also use sensors to adjust the blinds when glares form.

Residents can place their smart blinds on a schedule, improving the energy efficiency of their lighting systems. They may additionally decrease energy loss and improve their savings by installing the smart home feature.

Minimize a Property’s Energy Reliance With Smart Lights

Adding smart lighting systems to a home can enhance its performance and shrink its carbon footprint. The IoT devices use motion detection sensors to adjust indoor lighting based on a room’s occupancy level. Many residents experience energy loss by forgetting to turn off lights throughout their homes.

Smart lights take the pressure off individuals by autonomously adjusting the lighting. People can also remotely control their systems from their smartphones and turn off lights from anywhere.

Residents may also improve energy efficiency by pairing their smart systems with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. LEDs are nearly 90% energy-efficient, using 80% less electricity than incandescent lights. They also last about 10 times longer and reduce municipal solid waste over time. Residents can significantly minimize their utility costs by adding smart lighting systems with LED bulbs.

Conserve Resources With Smart Leak Sensors

Homebuilders can also improve properties’ efficiency by installing smart leak sensors. The devices indirectly reduce a building’s energy consumption by preventing damage, improving a system’s longevity. Smart leak sensors connect to a property’s water pipes and use acoustic technology to identify resource loss regions.

The devices also connect to residents’ smartphones and alert them when they detect leaks. Identifying pipe damage early protects the entire system and prevents electrical damage. Protecting a home’s water and power system can enhance its efficiency and longevity, reducing waste.

Monitor Energy-Related Emissions With Smart Energy Meters

Construction professionals can minimize a home’s overall energy consumption patterns by installing smart energy meters. The IoT technology connects to a property’s conventional electric meter, recording power use patterns. These devices can identify which regions of a home, appliances and specific outlets use the most electricity.

Smart meters relay the data autonomously to a homeowner’s smartphone, helping them access the information remotely. The systems also convert everything into easily digestible charts and graphs, increasing their usefulness. After individuals identify the causes of major residential energy loss, they can improve their consumption patterns and replace inefficient systems.

Additional Efficiency-Enhancing Technology

Environmental architects and builders can design energy-efficient homes by pairing smart devices with renewable energy systems. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert solar radiation to a direct current of electricity, decreasing a resident’s reliance on the conventional power grid. Installing independent energy systems on a smart home improves their efficiency and reduces a homeowner’s utility costs.

Construction professionals can also connect a property to wind turbines, additionally enhancing a resident’s energy independence. Renewable power systems help individuals save energy and shrink their carbon footprints. They also increase a property’s value, assisting residents in improving their finances over time.