Home automation refers to the various types of technology (including radio frequency and wireless technology) that are used to perform certain tasks around the house.
If you wake up in the morning and say, ‘Alexa, turn on the bedroom lights,’ you’ve automated your bedroom lighting system with voice control technology. This means that you do not have to physically get out of bed to turn on your bedroom lights.
Home automation can be more convenient, safer when performing some household tasks and helpful for home security (for example when used in conjunction with cameras and motion sensors or an alarm system).
It can also offer energy savings. Let’s find out how your home can be automated to use less energy and to lower utility bills…
Smart home automation offers energy savings with the use of sensors, timers and smart devices.
When all of these components come together seamlessly, it’s called a smart home automation system, and homeowners have several options for controlling those systems, including SmartThings, Home Assistant, Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Although they can be used just like any traditional device, smart home automation systems can automate tasks to reduce or adjust energy usage.
Some advanced home automation sensors can even learn your schedule, or you can program them to run during off-peak hours and during periods of low prices to minimize your electricity costs.
Make your energy consumption more efficient by automating the following devices and appliances:
Smart thermostats
The majority of smart thermostats are hardwired, just like traditional thermostats, but also use Wi-Fi to connect to an app on your phone.
Smart thermostats can offer significant benefits over basic programmable thermostats, including improved energy efficiency, convenience and advanced customization. They use a combination of sensors, algorithms and smart devices to provide customized heating and cooling solutions that are similar to the benefits of smart home lighting.
You can program schedules based on your daily patterns and set reminders for maintenance.
Some smart thermostats may be able to learn to adjust the temperature of a home based on the occupancy level, time of day, the outside weather conditions or your location relative to the home (for example, it may turn on the AC when it detects you are traveling home).
As they represent the largest share of energy usage in most homes–more than half, in fact–any reduction you can make in your power demand for heating and cooling can make a noticeable difference on your utility bills.
Some smart thermostats may include energy tracking and come with an energy-saving mode.
Lighting control
Smart lighting can be controlled remotely through a smart device or automated system.
Smart lighting uses a combination of sensors, timers and smart devices to turn lights on and off automatically based on occupancy, time of day and natural light levels. This may reduce energy usage and can save you money on your electricity bills.
Smart shades
Smart shades, also known as motorized or automated shades, use a combination of motors, sensors and smart devices to open and close automatically based on occupancy, time of day and natural light level. They come in several styles, fabrics and finishes to match your decor.
They can be programmed to close during times of intense light and high temperatures outside, and automatically opened if someone enters the room. For example, shades on east-facing windows can be set to be closed in the morning and open later in the day.
This helps you save money by preventing unwanted solar heat transfer into your home in summer and maximizing heat transfer in winter. You can boost energy savings by integrating smart shades with smart lighting–lights can react to the lighting in the room let in by the blinds.
Smart fans
You can program smart fans to automatically adjust the fan speed and airflow direction, either to a preset temperature or a set schedule.
Some models may be able to integrate with smart thermostats for better temperature control. When pairing a fan with an air conditioner, you can
raise the air conditioner temperature by 4F with no loss in comfort. Since fans use less energy to run than air conditioners, that translates into energy savings for your home.
Smart plugs/power strips
Smart plugs and smart power strips can help you manage your energy usage and reduce electricity consumption from appliances plugged in but not in use (“vampire appliances”).
They can be automatically turned off when the electronic device connected to the plug or strip is not in use.
Some smart power strips can even be turned off and on remotely from an app on your phone or through a home automation system.
Water leak sensors
Water leak sensors help prevent potential damage to finishes and structural components and hefty water bills.
Water leak sensors detect the presence of water or moisture in various locations, including under sinks, near water heaters or in basements, to alert you to a possible water leak. Some sensors can even shut off the water if they detect a leak.
As well as saving on utility bills (saving both water and the need to heat that water) and potential water damage repairs, some homeowner’s insurance policies may offer a discount for having leak sensors.
Smart sprinkler systems
Smart sprinkler systems can help keep your yard lush and green while helping you save money on your water bills.
Smart sprinkler systems use weather data, soil moisture sensors and other inputs to adjust watering schedules and deliver water only when and where it is needed, meaning you power on the sprinkler only when needed and avoid using any equipment to fix problems of over- or under-watering.
Of course, smart sprinklers also help you conserve water–on average
saving 15,000 gallons of water annually–which helps control the cost of your water bills.
Smart appliances
More smart appliances are available that can offer increased convenience, better performance and enhanced safety and security, as well as higher energy efficiency.
Smart refrigerators can alert you when the door is left open, adjust internal temperature based on the temperature outside and perform high-intensity actions during off-peak energy consumption times.
Smart washers and dryers can help you select the right program, as well as adjust water and energy consumption based on laundry load.
Smart kettles are available with variable temperature control and limescale detection (limescale can increase boil times and, as a result, energy usage).
Smart meter
All CenterPoint Energy Houston electric customers are now on smart meters. Smart meters record and transmit energy usage data in real time, and the newest models let you view your energy consumption through an app or website.
Smart meters provide more accurate billing, a better understanding of your energy usage, real-time data that takes the guesswork out of the amount of energy you use each day and improved energy management.
By utilizing smart home devices and appliances, you can save money on your energy bills and improve the comfort and convenience of your home or business. In addition, they can help lower your carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy sources while helping to support a more sustainable future.
Looking for more energy efficiency tips?
Find practical advice and education from our experts in our archive of articles written to help homeowners and renters conserve power and save green.
