Smart Home Automation 101: How to Save Energy

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by

Denny Vannus
in

Smart home devices do more than make your home more convenient and comfortable—they can also reduce your monthly electricity bills! From using smart light bulbs to programmable thermostats, there are many ways you can use automation to reduce your energy consumption and save money every month.

As leading electricians in Calgary, 4-Star Electric knows all about how to use electricity efficiently. Below, you’ll find a list of the home automation technologies we recommend to cut down your bills for home’s electrical systems.

What is smart home automation?

Smart home automation connects your lighting, HVAC, security, and entertainment systems to make your home more convenient and efficient.

With 4-Star Electric’s Smart Home Automation services, we transform your home into an intuitive, efficient environment tailored to your unique lifestyle.

4-Star’s smart home automation services include:

  • Security lighting
  • Security Cameras
  • HVAC & smart thermostats
  • Indoor & outdoor lighting
  • Smoke & CO detectors
  • Dimmer & Switch Upgrades

Let’s explore them more in detail below!

Security Lighting & Cameras

Motion-activated lights, floodlights and security cameras can instantly illuminate movement and alert homeowners and deter potential intruders.

Smart exterior lights can be scheduled, automated, or remotely controlled, integrating seamlessly with security systems and cameras.

Smart Thermostats

You’re probably familiar with smart thermostats. Smart thermostats use advanced algorithms and sensors to monitor and control your home’s indoor temperature. You can program them to follow your regular routine, which allows them to optimize energy use according to when you’re home and when you’re away. You can also manually control your smart thermostat through a smartphone app. Allowing you to adjust the temperature from anywhere, at any time.

Many smart thermostats also use real-time weather information to adjust heating and cooling settings. This helps them keep your home at the optimal temperature without wasting electricity, which reduces your electricity usage.

According to ENERGY STAR, you can save up to 12% on your heating and cooling costs by using a smart thermostat. By investing in a smart thermostat, you can reduce your energy consumption while improving your comfort.

Indoor & Outdoor Lighting

Smart lighting gives you the power to schedule the lights in your home to turn on and off, adjust their brightness, and even set scenes with different colors. These lights can be easily controlled through a smartphone app or with voice commands (when paired with a compatible smart hub).

Smart lights that use ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs are the most efficient, using up to 90% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and lasting up to 15 times longer. Many homeowners report saving as much as $75 a year on their electricity bills when using these products.

ALT TEXT - A 4 Star Electric electrician carefully installs new lighting fixtures

Smart Power Strips & Whole Home Surge Protection

A smart power strip works by controlling the flow of power to connected devices. It uses sensors to monitor each device’s power usage and shut off power to devices in standby mode, reducing energy consumption and saving you money over time.

Plugging your electronics into a smart power strip reduces standby power consumption by up to 75%, according to ENERGY STAR. This can help you lower your monthly electricity bills without sacrificing the convenience of using your plug-in appliances and other electronic devices. Better still, most smart power strips allow you to control and monitor your energy usage from a smartphone app, giving you increased visibility into how much electricity your devices use.

Today’s homes are more connected than ever, relying on modern heating systems, smart appliances, and sensitive electronics. As your household’s power needs expand, so does the threat of severe damage from unexpected electrical surges. Maintaining a steady, regulated power supply is essential for keeping your home safe and comfortable.

At 4-Star Electric, our Calgary team specializes in comprehensive whole-home surge protection. We fit top-tier surge protectors designed to safeguard your key investments, including televisions, computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, heating systems, and more.

CO & Smoke Detectors

If it’s time to replace or upgrade your smoke detectors, we’ll always have equipment on hand to keep your home protected. For maximum security, consider upgrading to smart smoke alarms that alert your smartphone even when you’re not at home.

Carbon monoxide detectors are another device that deserves your attention. Our experts can also make sure your family is protected from CO with reliable alerts.

ALT TEXT - A close up image of a 4-Star electrician installing a detector in a residential home.

Using the Right Smart Technology for Your Home

Adding smart home technology to your home gives you plenty of ways to use less electricity while enjoying more comfort and convenience, but every home is different and everyone has unique usage habits. While any of the products listed above can provide you with some level of savings, certain systems may benefit you more than others.

To learn more about your current electricity usage and get specific suggestions for reducing your bills based on your habits and needs, contact 4-Star Electric and speak with one of our experienced electrical professionals. We’ll be happy to conduct an electrical audit of your home and tell you what smart home products we think will provide you with the best possible savings.

Trust 4 Star Electric With All Your Smart Home Automation Needs

  • Family owned and operated
  • Experienced, trusted electricians
  • Upfront pricing
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed
A 4-Star electrician greets a homeowner as she comes to check on the work. 4-Star offers the best workmanship guarantees for 100% customer satisfaction.

What To Expect

Evaluation

Every smart home automation appointment starts with a detailed evaluation.



Your personal electrician will evaluate the needs you have in the home, devices you want installed, and devices you want connected. They will also review safety code compliance and identify safety hazards.

Recommendation

Recommendations will be made to increase convenience, efficiency, safety and future-proofing of your connected systems. If the initial evaluation uncovered any electrical repairs or upgrades, you will be fully briefed on cost and timelines.

A detailed cost estimate and timeline for the smart home automation process will then be provided so you can plan appropriately for your upgrade. We always provide full pricing before the work begins and you’ll never be surprised by hidden fees.

Installation

The smart home automation system installation will begin by preparing the work area and coordinating with your internet service provider.

Your technician will begin by ensuring the power to relevant circuits is safely isolated before carefully installing the smart hub and main control unit. They will ensure that all connections are properly organized and that there is no damage to surrounding structures.

The core smart hub is then installed, with all smart devices and sensors configured and integrated into the system. Your technician will ensure the hub is securely mounted and that the entire setup meets our rigorous security and functionality standards.

Once your installation is complete, your technician will conduct a thorough system inspection and test all automated routines and device integrations. You can have total confidence in our team; we only install the most trusted smart home equipment, and we’re proud to offer industry-leading support and replacement guarantees, as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Teaming up with the licensed professionals at 4-Star Electric guarantees your system is installed securely, effectively, and to code—providing dependable operation and total confidence for years ahead. Reach out to us today!

Don’t Forget About Regular Inspections

Regular, professional electrical inspections should be a part of any homeowners checklist. But they become increasingly important the more load is placed on your electrical system, such as when smart home automation systems are added.

Our electricians are trained better. They closely inspect and test every component of your home’s electrical system during your inspection appointment. Our comprehensive checklist includes the following:

To learn more about your current electricity usage and get specific suggestions for your smart home automation needs, contact 4-Star Electric and speak with one of our experienced electrical professionals. We’ll be happy to conduct an electrical audit of your home and tell you what smart home products we think will provide you with the best possible savings.

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