Smart home technology is all the rage these days, and for good reason!
Not only can smart home devices offer you convenience and intelligent analytics, but they can also save you money by lowering your energy bills.
nn
According to the Energy Star program, the average homeowner spends around $2,000 per year on energy costs. If you incorporate a few new smart home devices you can potentially save hundreds of dollars by tracking and reducing your energy consumption.
nn
Smart Thermostats
nn
If you install a smart thermostat, you can save up to 10% per year, according to the United States Department of Energy.
nn
This is accomplished by setting the HVAC system to cycle on a different schedule while away from home or while sleeping.
nn
Smart thermostats can even be controlled remotely from a phone or tablet app, and many are intelligent enough to react to changing weather systems.
nn
Advanced smart thermostats (such as the ,,Ecobee smart thermostat powered by Bryant) have added sensors for occupancy and temperature that can be placed throughout the home or office.
nn
To save even more money, you can even pair automatic window shades and/or ceiling fans to smart thermostats!
nn
15% of American households already have smart thermostats installed, making them one of the best-selling smart devices on the market. Many utility companies even offer rebates for installing one!
Sprinkler Systems
nn
Have you ever been driving in a rainstorm and seen sprinkler systems watering away?
nn
Brands like Rachio or Orbit can help homeowners and businesses reduce waste and save money on water bills by interpreting local weather forecasts and alerting you to needed adjustments.
nn
You can also control irrigation by voice command (especially handy if you have visitors or deliveries scheduled and you don’t want to give them a surprise soaking!).
nn
Wireless flow meters help detect and stop leaks, and can even shut down certain zones while continuing to water the rest of your lawn.
nn
Bulbs and Switches
nn
According to Energy Star, over 12% of utility costs are spent on lighting, and many of us are guilty of leaving lights on when not in use – which can be a huge energy sink.
nn
Smart home devices such as smart bulbs, switches, and room sensors can help cut energy costs. Energy efficient LED light bulbs and smart bulbs are a quick and easy fix.
Reliable switches cost around $50 and are often sold in a kit with bulbs included. Watch out for your other miscellaneous electronics, however: even energy-saving smart WiFi devices can be counteracted by the power it takes to run them.
nn
Look for devices that use low-power communication such as ZigBee or Z-Wave.
nn
Smart Plugs
nn
Do you always unplug your household electronics when not in use? Think about your smart TV, video gaming systems, speakers, or DVR storage systems, just to name a few.
nn
Instead of powering down completely, most of these enter standby mode. This enables quick boot-up for when we return to them, but they are still drawing power when we aren’t using them. These energy vampires drain power, adding to the monthly utility bills.
nn
Smart power strips, outlets, and plugs let you cut the power completely when they’re not in use.
nn
Energy Monitoring Systems
nn
An energy monitoring system such as Neurio or Sense can convert your household into a smart home by identifying those energy vampires that are silently adding to your power bill.
nn
Energy monitoring units are installed in the electrical panel, connected to your WiFi, and can be manipulated and viewed in an app on your phone or tablet. By identifying these unnecessary power drains – and unplugging them or converting them to smart power strips – homeowners can save money on utilities.
nn
For users who have an Echo or Google, energy monitoring systems can often sync up with the home assistants.
nn
Energy monitoring systems can acknowledge consumption problems by appliances and other devices and can inform owners on how to create better habits.
nn
Smart-home technology is becoming more widespread today, but the sometimes pricey upfront costs and regarded introductory programming complexity can deter buyers.
nn
Still, relatively affordable and easy to install smart home devices like smart programmable thermostats pay off in home resale value and energy savings over time.
nn
The immediate convenience and even safety make smart home devices well worth the initial investment.
Outstanding Heating and Cooling is a Circle of Champions Bryant factory-authorized dealer.
nn
Contact us today to learn more about the ,,benefits and costs of installing a smart home thermostat such as the Ecobee. We can help you navigate the different options available to you as a home or business owner!
