Image Credit: Samsung/Google Images
Have you ever looked at your monthly costs and wondered how you could reduce them? We all have, but most of us have come up empty handed on ideas. But, did you know you actually save money on your home energy by using smart devices? It’s true! After the initial expense of investing in programmable thermostats, power timers and monitors and other smart gadgets, depending on how much energy you use, you can save a big chunk of money over a year’s time.
How Smart Gadgets Can Help You Save Money
So, how can smart devices save you money exactly? Through automation! For instance, during the summer, you really don’t need your air conditioning on all day long while you’re at work, but just while you’re at home. A programmable thermostat could be setup to automatically shut off the air conditioning while you’re not home and automatically sense to turn it back on while you are at home. That said, you save a big chunk of money by your air conditioning not being on for an additional 40 hours a week.
As another example, motion detectors for lights can save you another big chunk of money by keeping the lights off while you’re not around. Using a motion detector, lights will automatically turn on when you enter the room and turn off when you’re not in the room. Not only does this save you money on actual energy usage over a period of time, but it also saves you money on light bulbs since you’re using them a whole lot less than before.
There are a lot of different ways that smart devices can save you money. That said, we’re going to highlight and recommend just a few of the gadgets that could have a big impact on your monthly energy bill below. Be sure to follow along!
Nest Thermostat
The Nest Thermostat is a genius product all around. Not only will it save you money, but it’ll also save you time. With Nest, you can easily change your thermostat wherever you are, with the handy smartphone app. The app also allows you to set it to automatically change the temperature in your home at specific times, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting. Modernly designed, Nest is a breeze to install with the help of their simple installation tutorial.
Another one of the cool features of the Nest Thermostat is that it saves energy and money. On Nest’s dial, simply follow the leaf on the screen to save energy. Nest also saves an average of 10-12% on heating bills and a whopping 15% on cooling bills, which means more money in your pocket.
[Amazon]
Motion Sensors
Motion Light Sensors pretty much speak for themselves, but basically, you install the motion sensor socket onto your light fixture, and then screw in your favorite bulb (many of the sockets work with both incandescent and fluorescent bulbs). This is a great option for places where you don’t need consistent light, such as hallways and closets. Simply walk in, and the light will turn on. Do what you need to do, leave, and the light will turn off.
Because these motion light sensors only operate when you need them to, you’ll save energy and money, similar to Nest. You don’t need to worry about accidentally leaving the garage light on after you’ve already left for vacation, or the kids forgetting to turn lights off before leaving the house. You’ll only use the exact amount of light you need, which eliminates wasted money on your next electricity bill.
Quirky + GE Smart Window Air Conditioner
We’ve all experienced the typical window air conditioner before. They’re barely helpful, and most give off nasty air that can’t possibly be healthy. Oh, and your electricity bill after using it? Well, dying of dehydration in the Sahara might’ve been a better option after all.
Thankfully, there’s this awesome new home “gadget” called the Smart Window Air Conditioner. It’s app-controlled, so you can make sure your home is cool by the time you get there, or that it turns off a certain amount of time after you’ve left. It also syncs with your location and your schedule, so that if you’re not at home, or if you typically turn it down at night, you’re not wasting electricity (and ahem, hard-earned cash).
[Amazon]
Don’t Forget About LEDs
While LEDs aren’t smart devices, if you’re looking to save energy in your home, this is a really easy way to do so. The most popular bulbs out there are halogen incandescents and compact fluorescent lamps. These bulbs are generally cheap, but they don’t last very long and take up a lot of energy, making your electricity bill go up even higher. But, thanks to light-emitting diodes (LED), you can save money on both bulbs and electricity!
LEDs are energy efficient bulbs that last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Not only that, but they use 20-25% of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs use, saving you a little bit more money each year. You can save up to $75 per year on your electricity bill, depending on how much lighting you have in your house.
But, you actually save a whole lot more money than that. Traditional incandescent bulbs burn out a lot faster, which means you have to replace them quite a few times during the year. LEDs last a whole lot longer, and depending on usage, you won’t have to replace them for a good three years or more. LEDs might be pricier, but they save you on your energy bill and on the volume of bulbs you’re buying every year.
Final Thoughts
This is all just scratching the surface of what smart gadgets can do for you. Not only can they save you a lot of money after that initial investment, but they can also make things a whole lot more convenient around the house. There truly are a lot of neat smart devices out there, such as smart devices for vacuuming the house by itself, smart devices for opening and closing blinds, smart devices for locking and unlocking doors, and so much more.
Do you use any smart gadgets in your home? If so, what is it and what purpose does it serve? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below!
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