10 Smart Home Energy Management Tips
Home Security Tips Security Cameras Security Systems Smart Homes May 4, 2022 2:22:52 PM General Security 6 min read
Home energy costs and utility bills have been dramatically rising in recent years, with projections forecasting sustained increases into the foreseeable future. Consequently, consumers are seeking ways to reduce consumption and save money.
Smart, energy-saving technologies and devices can help!
According to online energy news and insights hub Smart Energy International (SEI), homes equipped with smart technologies can conserve 30 percent to 40 percent of energy. When installing just one smart device—such as a thermostat—consumers can save up to $219 per year in heating and cooling costs. With remotely controlled mobile apps, it’s more convenient than ever to manage energy usage and costs sustained from common household products.
In addition, when shopping for home appliances and security devices, look for products boasting the official Energy Star rating signifying cost savings and environmental commitment.
Below we’ll outline 10 tips on how smart technologies can help decrease home energy consumption, monthly utility bills, and more.
What Are Smart Technologies?
Designed to make consumers’ lives easier, safer, and less costly, smart technologies can be implemented within many household appliances or utilities. These include heating and cooling, stoves and ovens, security cameras and alarm systems, and even outdoor sprinklers.
When working with a reputable provider cultivating long-term strategic partnerships, such as General Security, you’ll gain access to a one-stop-shop of smart technologies and devices. They’ll even assist with personalized best practices and tips for your family and home.
With 179 million American and European households expected to add smart technologies within the next two years, this form of household function management will eventually become the norm.
Furthermore, these interconnected devices facilitate monitoring and control from anywhere, regardless of location, safely regulating everything from lights and thermostats to appliances.
The following 10 tips can help with lowering utility bills and energy consumption, while adding peace of mind your home has an extra set of eyes and ears when you cannot be there:
1. Manage Water Usage With Flood Sensors
Whether you’re home or away, flood sensors can manage leaks or drips from sinks, tubs, and toilets. This also applies to water-based household appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers. These devices can also alert if a faucet is left running, or detect a faulty pipe before bursting. Accompanying temperature sensors send real-time alerts to your mobile device indicating sudden exterior climate fluctuations.
Consider adding the Alarm.com Smart Water Valve + Meter for quick leak and moisture identification. This device also ensures automatic shutoff, along with a dashboard of daily usage insights.
2. Customize Lighting Schedules
Adding LED bulbs is the first step when lowering home lighting bills, not to mention their long-lasting qualities. When pairing these with smart technologies, lighting schedules can also be customized to turn on and off at certain times. Outdoor areas can benefit via motion detection sensors whereby lights will illuminate driveways, porches, and front doors for added safety and protection.
When installing just one smart device—such as a thermostat—consumers can save up to $219 per year in heating and cooling costs.
3. Add Smart Outlets for Reduced Energy Usage
These help reduce in-home energy consumption and monitor electronics usage for TVs, personal computers, gaming systems, and more. While saving money is always welcome, smart outlets can also regulate household screen time and create power-down schedules when children should be doing homework or studying, and during bedtimes.
4. Consider Smart Appliance Safety & Protection
As previously mentioned, it’s recommended to seek out the official Energy Star rating decal when shopping for appliances. Additional savings can be captured by setting up smart controls on frequently used items, such as refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and dishwashers. If someone accidentally leaves a refrigerator or freezer door ajar, you’ll receive a real-time alert.
These can also detect leaks, which would otherwise lead to damages and possible flooding. Adding grill and stove guards can help safeguard burners accidentally left on or bumped into—both of which could lead to possible damage and injuries from fire and carbon monoxide.
5. Regulate Heating & Cooling With Smart Thermostats
As exterior temperatures change, thermostat settings can be the difference between wasted energy and high electricity bills. Especially during months when weather can be unpredictable, this technology enables consumers to remotely adjust interior thermostat settings through the Alarm.com app—especially helpful with regulating heating and cooling during unpredictable weather, or if you’ll be away for extended periods.
6. Manage Outdoor Watering Schedules With Smart Sprinklers
Keeping landscaping and vegetation in check during warmer months can be challenging without regular maintenance. When adding an outdoor sprinkler system with smart controls, watering schedules can be easily adjusted from the Alarm.com app. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, the app will automatically skip watering to avoid wasted energy and water usage. You can also set sprinklers to activate when you’ll be away for extended periods.
7. Monitor Garage Door Safety & Security
An automatic garage door opener with smart controls is the perfect solution to protecting against forgetting to close and lock garages when leaving your home in a rush. These can be remotely set to open and close for delivery personnel, housesitters, or any other approved individuals requiring access. It can also help deter unsuspecting thieves or trespassers who might inadvertently enter the home through an open or ajar attached garage door.
8. Protect Your Family & Home With Smart Security Cameras
Available in indoor, outdoor, and doorbell models, smart security cameras offer 24/7 protection for your home and family—and feature added efficiencies. When equipped with smart controls, they’ll only activate when movement or activity is detected. This helps save on energy, battery life, storage, and memory. Most cameras can also capture household functions otherwise wasting energy, such as lighting, electronic devices, and more.
9. Keep Windows Secure & Covered
With afternoon typically the hottest portion of the day, the sun will beat down on your home, trapping extra heat through open and uncovered windows. While it’s a best security practice to ensure windows are locked and closed, this also maintains effective cooling efficiencies.
It’s also recommended to add window coverings, such as shades, blinds or curtains—all of which can be closed during warmer times. This also helps keep potential thieves and trespassers from peeking into exposed windows.
10. Don’t Forget About Your Vehicles
Ensuring the efficiency of your vehicle’s fuel consumption is incredibly important. With gasoline prices increasing throughout most of the United States, having a vehicle tracking tool such as Connected Car can provide direct insight into vehicle diagnostics including fuel usage, emissions, mileage, maintenance schedules, and more.
Managing Utility Bills & Carbon Footprints
Aside from keeping utility costs reasonable, it’s also wise to manage your home’s electricity, gas, and water usage for the good of the environment. General Security can help craft a plan to lower your utility bills and energy consumption with best practices and tips in mind.
General Security provides smart automation systems for residential properties located throughout the U.S. East Coast. Contact us today for a free quote!