The Latest Home Tech Can Save You A Bundle

Written by Posted On Thursday, 28 December 2017 13:45

Advances in smart home technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) are giving consumers the chance to equip their homes with a whole new generation of advanced gear. Environmentally conscious homeowners now have the ability to monitor their water, gas, and electricity usage in ways that were impossible as recently as a few years ago. They can take granular control of their appliances, and monitor their home for signs of costly problems before they get out of hand.

It all adds up to a comprehensive suite of options that have the ability to save homeowners money on everything from maintenance costs to monthly bills. Many of the newest devices can be connected together using if-this-then-that (ITTT) technology to provide a seamless control interface, no matter the individual manufacturer. There are more devices becoming available every day, but here's a guide to the latest smart home technology you can use to save money right now.

Smart Thermostats

The home thermostat is an often overlooked piece of home technology. Typically, the most advanced feature they have is the ability to set a basic temperature schedule for the week. Some of them are only capable of basic on / off switching and static temperature controls. Most homeowners don't even realize that improving the efficiency of their thermostat can save them lots of money.

This is where a new generation of smart thermostats come in. Companies like Ecobee and Nest have created several models of Internet-connected thermostats that enable advanced management of HVAC systems. Many of these devices use artificial intelligence to learn the routines and behaviors of homeowners to determine the most efficient heating and cooling routines. Some of them even provide remote sensors that can be placed in the rooms that are used most, so the system can keep residents comfortable no matter their location in the home. Since they're always online, they also allow for remote management when owners are away from home.

Smart Switches and Bulbs

The IoT revolution is reaching every part of the modern home. An excellent example of this comes in the form of smart switches and light bulbs. These connected devices offer homeowners the ability to control their lights from anywhere with an Internet connection. It means the end of lights being inadvertently left on to waste electricity.

These devices have other useful features as well. Belkin's Wemo switch enables randomized light schedules to turn lights on and off to make a home appear occupied even when it's not. It can even be connected to some of the previously mentioned smart thermostats to turn off lights in the home when the HVAC system detects that nobody's home. Smart bulbs like the Phillips Hue allow for custom color spectrums and syncing with music or games to create a unique home environment.

Smart Grid Enabled Appliances

As the electrical grid is modernized for the 21st century, it's enabling manufacturers to take advantage of smart grid systems to save energy. These appliances offer remotely-controllable energy saving modes and are ready to use smart grid data (where available) to maximize efficiency. For example, LG has introduced their SmartThinQ line, which incorporates many of these concepts. They integrate into an existing smart home system and offer food management, automatic recipe retrieval, and can automatically adjust their energy usage to maximize savings.

When connected to an area on the smart grid, these new appliances can even schedule their activities (like cooking or washing and drying clothes) based upon signals that tell them when energy demand and rates are lowest. It's a great example of a home technology that will save owners money right now, with plenty of room to save even more in the future.

The Connected Home Evolves

As IoT and smart home devices become more widespread, the opportunities for savings will increase dramatically. Even areas where home broadband service is limited can take advantage of satellite internet services to provide the connectivity needed to build a connected home. The costs of the technology continue to drop, and the path to adoption is easier than ever. In the years to come, homeowners everywhere will reap the benefits of the latest technology to make their lives better and more inexpensive than ever before.

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Jamison Hutton

 

 

 

Jamison Hutton is a business and real estate enthusiast. He's a freelance journalist and loves writing about trends in the tech industry. He lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and son.

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