Smart home devices can make your home much more efficient. But did you know they can also save you money?
These days, everything, from electrical sockets to water sprinklers, comes in a so-called ‘smart’, or automated variant. Set to operate autonomously, these devices make life easier, taking much of the hassle out of many mundane tasks.
But they’re not just a time-saver. When used correctly, smart home devices can potentially save you hundreds on your energy bills.
Here are some of the best money-saving smart home devices out there, according to RACV.
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Smart plugs and power boards
You’ve probably heard that leaving appliances such as TVs and gaming consoles in standby mode is a big drain on your power.
But turning these devices off at the wall is undoubtedly tedious. Smart plugs and power boards deal with this problem by automatically cutting power to appliances when they are not in use.
Devices connected to a smart plug or board can be operated on a timer or manually via smartphone app. You can also monitor your appliances remotely through the app, meaning you’ll never have to worry about leaving something on again.
Smart thermostats
Heating and cooling your home counts for an average of around 40 per cent of your energy bills.
Installing a smart thermostat can be a game changer. They’re able to optimise your home’s temperature to make sure nothing is wasted.
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You can control your heating and cooling remotely via a smartphone app and even customise temperature settings room by room. This ensures energy is only being used while you’re there to enjoy it.
Smart thermostats can even ‘learn’ how long it takes for a room to reach your preferred temperature, maximising the amount of time they spend in energy-saving mode.
Smart sprinklers
Water use is another area in which smart home devices can save you heaps. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on the planet, and Australians are among the highest per capita water users in the world.
Smart sprinkler systems can save you money by adjusting the amount of water used to water your lawn and garden, based on the type of plants or soil.
But best of all, they can also check the weather forecast to make sure they aren’t watering your lawn just before it rains.
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Smart lightbulbs
Who doesn’t get annoyed at lights being left on in empty rooms? We’re all guilty of it, and we should feel guilty, as lighting contributes about 10 per cent to your annual energy budget.
Smart lightbulbs are one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to take advantage of smart home devices.
Smart globes can be automated, remotely controlled or even motion activated, meaning you’ll never have to worry about leaving the light on again.
Smart bulbs use LEDs, which use far less energy than incandescent globes and last five to 10 times longer, greatly reducing replacement costs.
Smart shades and blinds
Many Australian homes lack proper insulation and window glazing, letting heat escape in winter and letting it back in when summer comes.
Smart shades and blinds can operate autonomously on a schedule, programmed to open or close based on how much natural light you want in your home.
Most smart shades also have energy-saving modes that can detect when your windows are heating up, and close automatically.
Do you have any smart home devices installed in your home? Has it made a noticeable difference to your energy use? Let us know in the comments section below.
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