In today’s ever-evolving world, keeping the environment clean and safe is becoming more and more of a priority. While we continue to rely on nonrenewable and fossil fuels, green technology is becoming more important to energize our homes and keep the environment safe at the same time. For Energy Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight some of the ways we can use technology in our homes to better reduce our carbon footprint and limit our energy consumption to help the planet for years to come.
Lights are one of the most important pieces of technology in our homes. Lighting accounts for 8% of our total energy consumption, so finding more energy-efficient bulbs such as LEDs instead of standard bulbs can drastically reduce the amount of energy we use. Not only that, but they will also last longer and give off no heat or UV emissions. Using an automated lighting system can help keep your lights on a schedule, change the brightness, and even adjust them to different colors to fit whatever mood you are in.
Over time, using less energy for refrigeration can have a major impact on climate change and is one of the biggest draws on electricity in our homes. Smart fridges can learn your door-opening habits and start the cooling process only when it is necessary. They also use an internal process called “demand response” to communicate with local utilities so that energy is optimized during off-peak hours to reduce the amount of energy being used. Smart fridges can pay for themselves in nearly 10 – 15 years, so making sure you find ways to keep them protected and up to speed for the long run is essential. To maximize efficiency, it’s important to keep the coils clean and fill the empty space in your freezer with jugs of water. Regular maintenance, along with additional safeguards like home warranty, can ensure the longevity of your appliances and make the most of your investment.
Similar to the smart fridge, a smart thermostat can learn your household’s patterns and adjust its heating and cooling accordingly. It will only use energy when you are in the home and can be controlled remotely, making it easier to keep track of when you want to start the heating or cooling process. You can save nearly 10% on your overall yearly heating and cooling bill by simply turning your thermostat down 7 – 10 degrees. So, having remote access to set a schedule can not only reduce your energy consumption but also save you money. Most smart thermostats can give you a distinct report about when you’re using the most energy, allowing you to change your patterns and optimize your home so you aren’t wasting any power.
A simple way to start reducing your energy consumption is looking to switch out your old power strips with new smart power strips. These strips can detect when one of your devices is in standby mode and will cut the power in that outlet. Each outlet has a dedicated signal that can either measure the amount of energy being used or sense when there is no activity coming from the plugged-in device and will adjust the power levels coming from that specific outlet. This, over time, will decrease the energy being used from one strip and help you save money. To get the most out of these Smart Strips, strategically place them around your home in areas that have high energy consumption, such as a home office or living room. The more devices you have in one given area, the greater the benefits will be.
As smart homes become ever more popular, so do smart windows. These windows are simple to operate and work similarly to a light switch. With the press of a button, you can tint your windows and block out the majority of solar energy, keeping your home at a consistent temperature. Without the solar energy coming through, your home won’t have to constantly adjust the temperature, wasting a major amount of energy in the process. The windows themselves are very energy efficient, drawing very little electricity when in use so you won’t have to worry about turning them off or on throughout the day.
The environment is changing every day, but so is the technology that we have available to us. With the right home innovations, you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment become healthier over time. Reach out to us here at Atlantic Energy for more information regarding how our Smart Home Bundle can help you achieve an eco-conscious home.
