The Best Smart Home Devices for Saving Energy

Smart home gadgets and technology can help make homes more energy efficient than ever before. From thermostats and lightbulbs to plugs and sprinklers, there is almost no aspect of the home that can’t be integrated with a smart home system. But which are the best smart home devices for saving energy?

What is a smart home system?

A smart home system is built around home automation. Smart devices have the capability of connecting to a smart home hub like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant through your WiFi network, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Z-wave technology. You can then control and monitor these devices through a smartphone app, usually on iOS or Android devices, or through voice commands with a smart speaker.

Many smart home devices exist to make your life easier, automating processes around the house and giving you control via a phone app or even voice commands. 

One of the biggest uses of smart home functionality is in the smart home security system. Smart Alarm System, Smart locks, video doorbells, wireless security cameras, and even garage doors can be managed through voice control or a mobile app.

Energy efficiency is another important factor in the choice of smart home devices. Through the use of a smart sprinkler, smart plug, smart lighting, or Beach House smart IR controller, homeowners can see major improvements in their energy and water consumption.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. More and more devices are being integrated into smart home setups. Even appliances like stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators are now connected to the internet.

Smart Lightings

Smart lightings can help you become more energy efficient at home as you’ll be able to control your home lighting remotely via an app on your smartphone. So if you’ve forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving the house, or you’ve gone away on holiday, you can turn them off remotely. Smart lighting can also often be set up to run on timers, so you can set your lights to only come on once the sun has set and you can make the most of natural lighting throughout the day to help further reduce energy waste.

Lighting accounts for about 15% of a typical household’s electricity bill, so upgrading your lights by replacing them with energy efficient LED light bulbs can help reduce your monthly bills and could save you up to $40 a year. One LED bulb can save you around $180 over its lifetime, so when you add up the number of lights in your home, your total savings can be considerable.

Smart plugs

If you haven’t yet implemented any smart home technology but would like to give it a try, a great first step is to try smart plugs. Smart plugs can turn any appliance into a smart product, preventing passive energy drain. Standby power use is a significant contributor to energy wastage, so a smart plug can make sure you’re not paying for wasted energy. You also have the ability to control the plug through an app on your smartphone, which can allay any worries about not having turned your appliances off after leaving the house, instead simply turn the plug off remotely.

Motion sensors

If you already own smart lights or are ready to set up your first bulbs, consider adding a compatible motion sensor. A good motion sensor can turn lights on or off. You’ll be able to turn on a hallway or bathroom light when someone walks by at night or turn off all the living room lights when no motion has been detected.

Conserve Water

Along with electricity, a lot of water goes to waste in homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year, and 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Finding and fixing those leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water consumption.

In addition to increasing your monthly water bill, wasting large amounts of water goes against the goal of making the world more sustainable. That’s why water conservation should be towards the top of any list of energy saving tips.

Conserving water is not just about dealing with leaks, but also about using water more diligently and efficiently. Some of the smart home saving devices you can use to reduce your water use include smart leak detectors, smart sprinklers, and smart appliances.

Smart Water Leak Detectors

Although leaks may seem like insignificant drips and drops, they contribute to a lot of water waste cumulatively. Leaks can occur at faucets, under sinks, behind the toilet, and around washing machines. At times, detecting leaks can be challenging. This is where smart leak detectors come into play.

Not only do smart leak detectors sense water problems, but they can also send alerts when they detect an issue, allowing you to address the issue swiftly. This gives them the potential to be very valuable money saving devices.

Considering the losses you may incur with water leaks each year, taking measures to turn your house into a money-saving smart home is a prudent decision.

Smart Sprinkler Controllers

For your lawn and garden to remain vibrant, you need to water them regularly. However, sprinkler systems often spray more water than is necessary, and they don’t adjust to your local weather. Smart sprinklers can save money on energy by enabling efficient water use, allowing you to easily schedule when they turn on and for how long.

Since smart sprinkler controllers are connected to a smart assistant or app, caring for your lawn also becomes easier. You can turn your sprinkler on and off remotely, and some can even show you how much water is needed each day.

When it rains, a smart sprinkler system can skip a watering session automatically, ensuring that watering is done according to environmental conditions.

Smart Appliances

Another category of smart home energy saving product and water conservation method you should consider are smart appliances. Dishwashers and washing machines use electricity and water to clean clothes and utensils, and smart appliances are an ideal solution as they are energy-efficient and use less water.

More importantly, some smart appliances can even be programmed to connect with the grid and only operate when energy is cheaper to gain additional smart home savings.

Unlocking the Full Value of Energy Savings

Rising utility costs (that are already high to begin with!) are arguably the primary reason most people look for smart home energy savings. However, the benefits go beyond just financial savings.

The energy used today comes at a great cost to the environment tomorrow, and we have a finite amount of natural resources available. Efficient use of power and water helps address this challenge by reducing carbon emissions, and lowering the rate at which resources are exploited.

Adding smart home devices is a great first step towards an energy-efficient home, and you can make an even greater impact on the environment and further reduce or eliminate your electricity costs by turning to solar for your energy needs.