How to Use Technology to Conserve Energy in Your Home

You may wonder what energy-efficient technologies are available on the market today. Some of the latest advancements involve smart devices. Not only does smart home technology automate various tasks around your home with the help of a voice assistant, smart display or speaker, it can also help you conserve energy by limiting the length of time and electricity output for various gadgets and appliances. For example, you can program your smart hub to turn off a lamp when you leave a room so you never forget to flip the switch.

A smart home can intuitively control your smart thermostat by learning your daily patterns, so heating and cooling systems won't needlessly run when you're not around. Smart power strips shut down and put attached smart devices in standby mode, so they won't use energy while they're just plugged in. You can also program smart homes to coincide with your daily routine so that you can enjoy consistent utility bills each month.

How much electricity does an average house use when it comes to lighting? Some lighting solutions can use a fair amount of energy. You can easily lower energy usage by simply changing to LED smart light bulbs or other low-power bulbs. LED lights use 85% less power than other bulbs while also working with dimming functions and most light fixtures.

These bulbs are also usually brighter, so you can stop using floor lamps and other accessory lighting. Fewer lamps plugged in mean less energy used.

Solar power is becoming more accessible than ever. As a renewable source of energy, it cuts down on your power grid energy consumption. Consider getting solar panels for your roof or solar strips for windows and door frames. Portable solar chargers work well for powering up your phone or tablet, and they won't eat up electricity if you leave them plugged in past full battery.

If you make more electricity than you use with solar panels, you can store it in solar power banks for portable use. Beyond solar power, there are a few alternative power options. Roofs built with heat-reflecting materials help to cool your home without using energy for air conditioning.

Some technology works specifically to help you adjust your day-to-day practices toward a greener life. You can get alarms on your smartphone to remind you when to turn off appliances and heating. You can use a showerhead that turns off after a certain amount of time, so you won't spend energy on hot water production.

Operating your energy-efficient appliances during off-peak hours to take pressure off the energy grid is another good option. Some appliances will even power down for you automatically when not in use, so consider those if you're forgetful.

Speaking of appliances, look for an ENERGY STAR certification sticker when you buy a new appliance. This ensures that your product uses less energy than their counterparts. ENERGY STAR certified products help protect the environment by meeting the strict energy-efficient guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Appliances with these stickers include major appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers Since these items use up more energy than other electronics in the average home, the ENERGY STAR designation provides a visual cue to the more eco-friendly appliances, which can help you create an energy-efficient home. Look for energy-efficient appliances with smart capabilities as well, so they can be integrated into your smart home.

A great way to assess your home’s energy efficiency is to simply track when and how you use electricity. Get a power-monitoring device or specialized app on your smartphone that tracks your energy usage. This is easier if you have a smart home that can monitor how much power each appliance uses. Find out which items in your home take the most power to run and use them less. You can also replace them with more energy-efficient models.

If you don't want to get a separate energy tracking device, there are still other ways to watch your energy consumption. Check your energy bill at the end of the month with a detailed report to see when your peak usage hours are. Make changes to your daily habits and compare last month’s bill to the most recent one since adjusting your routine to see if there is a reduction in both your energy usage and total bill. In some cases, you may get special rebates from your local government for making your home go green.

When you make energy conservation and sustainable living in your home a priority, you may find it’s easier when you have the right gadgets to help in your efforts. By altering your habits and keeping track of your energy usage, you can significantly reduce how much power you use. You might even harness the power of solar energy. Not only will you enjoy a lower energy bill every month, but you can also take pride in the fact that your home is kind to the environment.