Technology advancements in the home are accelerating. With various smart home technologies emerging, there are now new ways that consumers can save money on their energy bills. A smart home can reduce your energy usage by up to 30% on average, so it’s definitely something worth considering – particularly during these challenging times.
MyJobQuote.co.uk has created a list of ways that consumers can use smart home technology to reduce their energy bills.
Invest in smart plugs
Smart plugs allow you to turn your devices on and off using your smartphone. You can also set up schedules and timers for your devices. Smart lightbulbs work in a similar way. These will connect to an app on your smartphone or connect with other smart accessories. Most smart plugs and bulbs can be controlled from anywhere in the world, provided you have an Internet connection.
Smart plugs and bulbs can improve the safety of your home in addition to reducing your bills. You can set your bulbs and plugs to come on periodically while you’re away from home to give the impression that someone is home and to help deter thieves or potential trespassers from attempting to enter your home.
Some smart plugs feature built-in energy monitors, which allows you to track how much power each of your devices are using. This will allow you to make smarter choices and, therefore, reduce your energy usage.
Smart plugs are not as expensive as you may think. You can purchase cheap smart plugs for around £5. The more expensive smart plugs are usually around £40 or more. The more expensive models are usually designed to connect with other smart home devices such as lighting, security systems, and smart thermostats.
Use smart heating and thermostats
Smart thermostats are brilliant, particularly during the winter months. These devices give you full control over the temperature of your home, and you can control it whether you’re in the house or not. You can use a smart thermostat to control your heating remotely using your smartphone. You can also programme your thermostat precisely to suit your needs and your schedule. This means that you will only use your central heating when you need to, preventing wasted energy.
Your heating makes up a large proportion of your energy bills. Smart thermostats can help you save energy, resulting in much lower energy bills. A smart thermostat can learn trends in your heating behaviours and will lower temperatures automatically when you’re not home. Smart thermostats have a range of different functions, depending on the model you choose.
Smart radiator valves are another option. These allow you to have precise control of your radiators. You can set different schedules for different areas of your home, allowing you to keep certain areas cool and others warm as needed. This will allow you to only heat up the rooms that are needed at each specific moment.
Get smart and eco appliances
Appliances use a lot of energy, and the costs can pile up. If you are looking at investing in some new appliances, consider choosing smart or eco appliances, as these will help you to reduce your energy usage over time. If you are using your existing appliances, make sure you are using the eco options where available. This can help you make some significant savings on your energy bills.
Smart appliances are quite a new concept, and they don’t come cheap. However, they come with a range of energy-saving features and other smart features that can help you save money in the long run. One of the most convenient features of smart appliances is the ability to turn them on and operate them remotely using your smartphone. This allows you to get things done when you’re not even home.
Many smart products will inform you of how much energy they are using in real-time through a smartphone app. This allows you to make smart choices moving forward and will help you save money in the long run.
Use energy saving apps
If you want to make some significant savings on your energy bills, it’s important that you know how much it is costing you to use your household appliances. Some energy-saving apps will give you a much clearer view of your energy usage. Using smart apps can help you make sure your home is efficient as possible and will allow you to take appropriate steps to save more on your energy bills.
Look up your energy company to see if they have an app. Most energy companies do, and the features of each will vary. Some energy company apps will give you some detailed information on your energy usage. This is particularly true when you’re using a smart meter.
If you have smart technologies in your home, such as a smart thermostat, make sure you’re using the apps to get the most out of them. Most of these apps will provide you with valuable information about how much energy you’re using and will give you some ideas on ways to save.
Timer apps can also make a big difference. Set a timer for things like showering so you know you’re not using too much hot water. You may be surprised at how much energy you can save simply by timing your showers and setting a limit. Try challenging yourself to five-minute showers and see how much of a difference it makes. There are some dedicated shower timer apps out there. Alternatively, you can just use the standard smartphone stopwatch or timer app, as these work equally as well.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are several ways in which you can save energy and money by investing in and using smart technology. Not only can you save, but you can also get a clearer understanding of how you’re using energy and where you can make changes to reduce your energy usage.
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