Until a few years ago, the thought of home automation looked like a distant dream. But now, it is a reality. Smart homes are gaining popularity for their convenience and security features. Smart home automation tools can communicate, send information, track information, and respond to voice commands. They can enhance your home’s energy efficiency and help you reduce your energy bills.
There are several home automation tools that can make your life easier, and they get more powerful every year. In the past, most smart home devices were simple, and you could only find limited products such as timer-based lamps and programmable thermostats. However, these days, most of these systems are soliciting data from your daily home activities, local weather readings, etc., modifying your lifestyle and helping you manage your home. And, the best thing is that most home automation systems can connect with one another — and tie into your home security system — to act as a single unit for your entire home.
By the end of 2019, smart homes are expected to grow at a faster rate than tablets and smartphones. Not only this, but they will also represent over 25 percent of devices related to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Home automation tools can save you money on bills too. Here’s how.
5 Ways Home Automation Tools Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Set Smart Thermostat Schedules
Smart thermostats are one of the most useful home automation tools. You can control smart thermostats using your tablet or smartphone. The best thing about these smart devices is that they can automatically track your home temperature adjustments based on your habits and act accordingly.
For instance, if you reduce the temperature of your home regularly before going to bed at 11 pm, the thermostat will track your activity and automatically adjust the temperature at your preferred time.
Using your smartphone, you can also make the most of smart thermostats to control your window blinds or shades based on the outside temperature and weather conditions. So, for instance, if the weather becomes too hot all of a sudden and you’re not at home, you can use your smartphone app connected to your smart thermostats to close the blinds and keep your home cool. Research shows that a smart thermostat can help you bring down your energy bills by 15 percent.
Remotely Turn Lights On and Off
Many of us forget to turn off the lights while stepping out of our homes. But, with home automation tools, you don’t need to worry about leaving the lights on. You can remotely turn lights on and off using smart bulbs or programmable dimmer switches that can be easily controlled using your smartphones. You’ll find a plethora of smart lighting solutions on the market. Motion sensors can help a great deal in limiting outdoor lighting and keeping your home safe.
Set Room Usage Sensors
Room usage sensors are devices that detect occupancy, light, and temperature. With room usage sensors, you can set appliances and lights to turn on and off as humans enter and exit from the room. Additionally, temperature sensors can be used to trigger cooling systems, heating systems, and smart thermostats.
Remotely Turn Off Appliances
Smart appliances can help you make your home energy-efficient. Most smart appliances on the market come with Energy Star certifications if they meet certain energy-efficiency requirements. You can program smart appliances to suit your routine, and turn them off remotely using a smartphone app.
For instance, if you want to operate your dishwasher or wash clothes during off-peak energy hours, you can schedule your smart appliances to operate while you’re busy with other work. Smart appliances such as smart dryers (with sensors for load size) and smart refrigerators (with internal cameras to see what’s inside without opening them) are becoming increasingly popular.
Monitor Water Usage and Program Watering Schedules
In the U.S., usage of outdoor water averages at over nine billion gallons of water daily, primarily for landscape irrigation. And, approximately 50 percent of water is wasted due to irregular watering schedules.
Smart irrigation systems adjust water schedules automatically to meet your landscaping needs. And, they significantly better the efficiency of outdoor water usage. For instance, with an increase in the outdoor temperature or decrease in rainfall, smart irrigation systems track variable such as sprinkler application rate, soil type, and more, to adjust the water usage and running schedules.
At ProTech Security, we have a strong history of experience, innovation, and customer service. The ProTech Security Advantage is more than 35 years of service in Northeast Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities. To see what ProTech Security can do for you, contact us today.
