Let Your Home Do The Work

From controlling your thermostat while you’re away to automatically turning off lights and electronics, smart home devices can help reduce wasted energy without sacrificing comfort. If you’re looking for simple ways to improve efficiency, these three smart technologies are a great place to start.

Smart thermostats

Heating and cooling account for the largest share of energy use in most homes, making your thermostat one of the most powerful tools for managing energy costs.

Smart thermostats allow you to adjust temperatures remotely using a smartphone app, whether you’re at work, on vacation, or simply relaxing on the couch. Many models can learn your schedule and automatically adjust settings based on your daily routine.

By reducing heating and cooling when you’re asleep or away from home, smart thermostats can help lower energy use while keeping your home comfortable when you need it most.

Smart lighting

Lighting may not be the biggest contributor to your electric bill, but smart lighting can help eliminate unnecessary energy use throughout your home.

Smart LED bulbs use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and can be controlled through an app, voice assistant, or automated schedule. You can set lights to turn off automatically when rooms aren’t being used or create schedules that match your household’s routine.

Many smart lighting systems also offer motion-sensing features, helping ensure lights are only on when needed.

Smart plugs

Not every device in your home is “smart,” but smart plugs can help bridge the gap.

Many electronics continue drawing small amounts of electricity even when turned off. This is often referred to as standby power or phantom load. Smart plugs allow you to control power to devices such as coffee makers, gaming systems, chargers, and entertainment equipment from your phone or through a schedule.

For example, you can automatically turn off electronics overnight or during work hours when they aren’t being used. Smart plugs are often one of the most affordable smart home upgrades and can be installed in just minutes.

Start small

You don’t need to outfit your entire home with smart technology to see benefits. Starting with a thermostat, a few smart bulbs, or a couple of smart plugs can help you gain more control over your energy use and identify opportunities to save.

When used thoughtfully, smart home technology can make your home more comfortable, convenient, and energy efficient, helping you get the most from every kilowatt-hour.