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.
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.
Smart Light Bulbs
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.
Smart Power Strips
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.
Smart Water Heaters
Smart water heaters automatically monitor and control the temperature of the water in your hot water tank. This ensures hot water is available when you need it, and reduces energy waste by preventing the heater from using electricity when you don’t.
According to Natural Resources Canada, hot water accounts for about 20% of a typical household's energy use—and some studies estimate that you could save up to $216 per year by investing in a smart water heater. This would allow you to pay off the costs of installing most models in around five years.
Smart Blinds
Smart blinds allow you to control the amount of light and heat entering your home, reducing your heating and cooling costs. You can also program smart blinds to open and close at specific times, further optimizing your energy use.
The exact amount that you can save on electricity by using smart blinds depends on several factors, including the type of smart blinds you buy, the type of windows in your home, and your specific energy usage habits. However, on average, most homeowners can expect to save 10% to 15% on their monthly electricity bills by using smart blinds.
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.
