9 Energy-Saving Smart Devices That Can Lower Your Bills
With everything around us getting more expensive, there’s no harm in trying to save a few bucks where you can. Luckily, we have so many resources available to help us save these costs. There’s a wide variety of smart tech that you can use in your home to bring those bills down.
1. Smart Thermostats
When people want to reduce their electricity bills, they tend to use the thermostat less. Instead of being uncomfortable in your home, a smart thermostat might be the answer. These devices learn your schedule and adjust the temperature automatically to optimize energy use. Many models allow you to control settings remotely via a smartphone app, ensuring you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. These thermostats have been shown to lower your annual bill by around 8%.
2. Solar Panels
Installing solar panels might be expensive initially, but this long-term investment can drastically reduce or even eliminate your electricity bill, depending on the system you install. Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy, reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your monthly expenses. Innovative solar systems can even monitor energy production in real-time, allowing you to optimize usage and store excess energy for later.
3. Smart Plugs
It can be easy to lose track of how much energy you are using when you have nothing that can monitor it. Smart plugs let you control and automate appliances like lamps, coffee makers, and even space heaters through an app on your phone. Many smart plugs also come with energy monitoring features, allowing you to track how much power every outlet in your house uses. You can also set schedules to turn your appliances on or off at specific times to avoid unnecessary usage.
4. Smart Light Bulbs
Light bulbs use about 5% of a household’s yearly electricity usage. Using smart light bulbs can significantly help lower these costs. These bulbs last much longer than regular bulbs and use less energy. What makes them even smarter is their ability to be controlled remotely, allowing you to turn lights on and off from anywhere.
5. Smart Irrigation System
Many people are caught between wanting to save on their water bills and still wanting a beautiful lawn to come home to. With smart irrigation systems, you don’t have to choose anymore. Unlike traditional sprinklers that run on a fixed schedule, smart irrigation controllers use real-time weather data, soil moisture levels, and seasonal patterns to adjust watering times automatically. Many systems can also be controlled remotely through your phone. This prevents overwatering, reduces waste, and keeps your landscape healthy without driving up your water bill.
6. Smart Refrigerator
Besides having a cool fridge, these refrigerators use advanced sensors and AI-driven technology to optimize cooling, ensuring that food stays fresh while using minimal energy. Many models have door-ajar alerts, energy usage tracking, and interior cameras that let you check what’s inside without opening the door, reducing cold air loss. These fridges can help you cut food waste by not overstocking food and using what you already have at home.
7. Energy Monitoring Devices
It might be handy to know exactly where your power usage has been going. These devices connect to your electrical panel and track the consumption of individual appliances, showing you which ones use the most power. You can monitor trends, set energy-saving goals, and receive alerts if your phone has an unusual spike in usage. Some systems even give you advice on how you can cut back on your energy usage.
8. Smart Leak Sensors
Nothing is worse than seeing your water bill go up and knowing why. These devices can detect even the smallest leaks in areas like your pipes, water heaters, or under sinks, alerting you instantly through a notification on your phone. Knowing exactly where to find your leaks as soon as they start helps save a lot of wasted water.
9. Smart Ceiling Fans
On hot summer days, you might look for a way to cool down without running up your utilities bill. Smart fans come with sensors that detect room occupancy or temperature changes, adjusting their speed automatically to maintain optimal comfort. As an added bonus, you can control your fan from your phone, so you won’t have to get up to make any changes.
References:
9 smart home devices that could save you money
9 Best Gadgets Every Smart Home Needs
Top 12 Energy-Saving Devices to Cut Your Electricity Bill