In today’s time, when everyone is living sedentary lifestyles and dealing with issues like increasing inflation, most individuals are looking for ways to save energy and money. While there are many ways to do this, switching to smart home technology is one of the most effective methods. These include installing smart home devices and appliances that can operate automatically and be controlled from a distance.
These products can run on programs based on one’s daily schedule, send smartphone notifications, and even adjust energy consumption as per the number of occupants present in the house. In addition, several innovative home solutions can help homeowners save time, effort, and money, from smart bulbs to thermostats to switches.
This article discusses how smart homes are helping homeowners by reducing their energy and water consumption and their monthly utility bills.
What is a smart home?
A smart home is equipped with smart home devices and technologies that allow the homeowner to control them remotely. These include smart security systems, smart lights and fans, smart switches, and smart heating and cooling appliances. The goal of a smart home is to make everyday tasks easier for the homeowner while saving money in the process.
For example, if someone forgets to switch off their lights and AC before leaving for work, they can simply log into a smart home automation app on their smartphone and switch them off.
How are smart homes helping homeowners?
Now comes the most crucial part of this article, i.e., how smart home technology works and how it saves the time and money of a homeowner. Explained below are some standard smart home devices and their functioning:
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are good starting points for homeowners looking to automate their houses. These plugs allow homeowners to control the energy usage of anything plugged into their electrical outlets. They can turn their smart plugs on or off from a distance, schedule usage times, and manage their electricity consumption using a smartphone app. This helps minimise the running time of large electronic appliances and, ultimately, reduces electricity bills.
Smart light bulbs and fans
Smart bulbs and fans can connect to one’s Wi-fi network, and homeowners can control them through a smartphone app. These bulbs and fans can be programmed to switch on and off to conserve energy. Some of them can even detect the presence of occupants in a room and can operate automatically. For example, they can switch on automatically once a person enters a room and then switches off again as they leave. Some smart bulbs and fans allow customers to control their brightness and rotation speed. This results in less energy consumption than traditional lights and fans.
Smart leak detectors
Sometimes, a small water leakage from a tap can create a massive problem if left unattended for a prolonged period. And then, one may have to shell out a handsome sum of money for clean-up and repair. However, one can avoid such a situation by installing a smart leak detector in their house. These detectors are equipped with smart sensors that detect water leakage or freezing at sensitive locations such as beneath the sinks, around washing machines and refrigerators, behind toilet seats, etc. Upon leakage detection, they send a smartphone notification to the homeowner, allowing them to address the issue before it gets out of hand. This also helps them in preventing damage to their costly electronic appliances.
Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats are one of the best smart home devices that can help save a lot of money. These devices allow homeowners to monitor and control their house temperature even when they are away. But, more importantly, they allow them to automatically turn down their cooling and heating appliances when they aren’t needed. For example, one can set their smart thermostat during the winter season to switch off the heating appliance as soon as they leave for the office and then switch it on again before entering the house. Such innovations can help a homeowner reduce their electricity bills efficiently.
Conclusion
Electricity bills and energy consumption costs take away a significant chunk of monthly household budgets. Using smart home solutions, homeowners can make their daily tasks easier, reduce their monthly electricity bills significantly and help one contribute towards a greener and cleaner environment.
Smart home devices like plugs, bulbs, fans, leak detectors, and thermostats are highly efficient tools for minimising energy consumption. Although they can be a bit expensive to install, they can result in a lot of savings in the long run.
Disclaimer- This article is based on the information publicly available for general use as well as reference links mentioned herein. We do not claim any responsibility regarding the genuineness of the same. The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. We expressly disclaim / disown any liability, which may arise due to any decision taken by any person/s basis the article hereof. Readers should obtain separate advice with respect to any particular information provided herein.
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