Smart technology is popping up all around us these days, including our homes. There are smart TVs, smart computers and smart DVD players, but it’s not just about lolling on the sofa while we’re entertaining ourselves. Smart technology can also be used for saving on energy use. Here are some examples of smart home savings:
Heating and Cooling
Nearly half our energy bills are devoted to heating and cooling. One of the best ways to cut back on energy use is to upgrade to a Wi-Fi thermostat. These thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home from near or far.
For instance, you set the temperature to 60 degrees when you leave for a winter vacation; but perhaps you learn about an approaching storm and decide to boost the temperature a few degrees through the app on your smart phone to ensure the pipes don’t freeze. Then, when the storm passes, you can adjust the thermostat.
You can also monitor energy use through smart thermostats.
Lighting
Twenty-five percent of our electricity usage is devoted to lighting. You can control your lights while you’re away, saving money through Wi-Fi technology. Indoors or outdoors, you can dim your lights, or turn them on at sunset and off at sunrise by setting a schedule through your smart device.
Another type of smart technology includes motion sensors that turn lights on and off, depending on if someone is in the room. Some light systems even allow you to preset lighting levels: for instance, you may want to set the lights to be dimmer while you’re watching TV in the den, or having a candlelight dinner in the dining room.
Appliances
Money-saving features are available on smart washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens. For instance, your clothes washer and dishwasher can be programmed to turn on at night when water rates are lowest, while the refrigerator can alert you while you’re away that the temperature isn’t cold enough so you can prevent your food from spoiling.
To install systems with smart home savings, contact C.R. Wolfe Heating and Air Conditioning of Middletown.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about smart homes and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.
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CR Wolfe
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Serving Middletown, NY area since 1945