How to lower your energy bill with smart devices
Smart devices are becoming more common, especially for people who want to be more energy efficient. Recently, we talked to several of our network service contractors about the best smart devices to lower energy bills.
According to our experts, there are 7 smart devices that can best help you lower your energy bill.
- Smart thermostats
- Motion detectors
- Smart outlets & power strips
- Smart plugs
- Smart Wi-Fi switch
- Smart lights
- Smart blinds
1. Smart thermostat
Smart thermostats can have the biggest impact on lowering your energy bill. Heating and cooling are the primary causes of high energy bills. And with the popularity of Google Nest, it’s no surprise that smart thermostats were at the top of the list.
Smart thermostats make it easy for you to adjust settings from anywhere just by using an app. Smart thermometers can also adjust temperatures based on your behaviors. For instance, the Google Nest Thermostat can learn when someone in your house turns on an oven and adjust the temperature/climate to account for that.
Smart thermostats can also let you change your temperature/climate settings remotely. So, if you’re at work all day, you can tell your smart thermostat to turn off while you’re gone and turn back on 20 minutes before you get home. On top of that, most smart thermostats will show you how much energy you use and how much you can save.
2. Motion detectors
Businesses have used motion detectors to control energy costs for a long time. Now, homeowners use them to lower their energy bills. Motion detectors can sense when no one is in a room and then shut off heat, cooling and lights when not in use. Over the course of a year, that can really add up in energy savings.
3. Smart outlets & power strips
Did you know that appliances and electronics can use energy even when they’re turned off? This is called a phantom load, and it can drive up your energy bill. Smart outlets and power strips can minimize phantom loads and protect you against surges and overloads.
4. Smart plugs
Smart plugs are great if you don’t want to replace your regular outlets with smart outlets. With a smart plug, all you have to do is plug it into a regular outlet and link it to a smartphone app. From there, you can turn appliances on and off remotely, or set schedules for your appliances.
5. Smart Wi-Fi switch
Smart Wi-Fi switches let you connect your electrical system to your home Wi-Fi network and then adjust your lights with your smartphone or tablet. Besides saving you money, you can turn on your lights as the sun sets for home security.
6. Smart lights
Smart lights are compatible with traditional light sockets. You can control them using Google Home, Apple Siri or Amazon Echo voice commands. Smart lights can help you save up to 75% on energy costs compared to incandescent bulbs. Plus, you can adjust these lights remotely.
7. Smart blinds
Smart blinds go above and beyond what even the heaviest draperies can do. Smart blinds can close automatically based on a pre-set temperature. And if you get afternoon sun, you can set a schedule for when you want your blinds to close and reopen.
Smart devices are a great way to proactively lower your energy costs. But if your energy costs are still steadily rising, it might be because your HVAC system is overworked. Overworked HVAC systems tend to break down sooner than they should.
Before you’re confronted with an expensive and unexpected breakdown, consider purchasing a home warranty from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW). A home warranty from 2-10 HBW can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by covering repair or replacement costs for unexpected breakdowns.
2-10 HBW offers the most comprehensive home warranty coverage for homeowners. Let us help you protect your home.
