10 Energy saving Technologies for Homes You Should Consider

So many ways for energy saving. By: Mother, Blogger and Owner of the Blog Security Design Hub. If you’re like the average mom or dad, one thing you dread receiving every month is the electricity bill. You know that once you read it, it’s going to take a huge chunk off your budget pie. The good news, however, is that it’s possible for high electricity expenses to be a thing of the past. The key? “Tech up” your home.

Certain technologies can help reduce your energy use, and–by extension–lessen your impact on the environment. Below is a list of energy-saving technologies you can add to your home:

1. Solar panels

How they save energy: Solar panels convert sunlight into energy, avoiding the need for traditional electricity sources.

Most smart homes’ energy run on solar power. There are two options for this: thermal systems and photovoltaics. The former catches solar energy in the form of heat through blackened metal plates. The energy is either stored or used directly. The latter, on the other hand, captures sunlight through photovoltaic cells. It converts solar energy into electricity directly. While solar panels can be costly you can save money with a DIY solar panel. 

Solar power gold coast, consider how green this option is. Solar energy is renewable, sustainable, and inexhaustible. It’s clean and doesn’t produce greenhouse gases that harm the planet—another compelling reason to include this in your energy-saving technology list.

How they save energy: They convert wind power into electricity. 

This is another alternative energy; so it drives electricity expenses down. Similar to solar, wind energy is renewable and clean. Before choosing this option, though, see if your location can generate enough wind power. Refer to wind resource maps to check the typical wind speeds at certain elevations. You can then decide whether or not a wind turbine is suitable for your home and what height is ideal. Once you get this done, ask an expert to help you install the turbine and make that energy-efficient home happen.

How they save energy: They keep the roofs from heating up, reducing the need to cool your home.

These innovative features have higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance than the traditional products in the market. Simply put, they can divert light and heat away from your home, as opposed to absorbing it. This increases comfort indoors while also letting you save energy and money through less use of air conditioning even during summer.

Cool roofs are made of a highly reflective type of paint, tiles, or shingles, or a sheet covering. Decreasing temperature, these materials help extend the roof’s service life, which is another big money-saving move for you.

How they save energy: They create little to no heat in generating light, unlike traditional lighting.

To better understand LED–lights’ energy-efficiency–you have to know that they don’t operate as incandescent lighting. With the latter, most of the electric energy is wasted as heat energy, which means reduced efficiency in producing light. With the former, they generate little to no heat; so they’re able to maximize energy available.

Aside from being one of the best energy-saving technologies, LED lights have a longer lifespan. This means more savings for you and less impact on the environment, a good move towards maintaining sustainability in your home.

How they save energy: They prevent air leakage, a problem that can ramp up electricity use.

Photo courtesy of Waldemar Brandt via Pexels

Single-pane windows don’t exactly do a good job at blocking heat from widows or preventing window drafts. They escape through the cracks. When that happens, you turn to your heating and cooling system to manage the temperature changes inside the home. You already know what that means for the next bill.

In the case of double-pane windows, the two layers of glass are separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space that helps reduce heat transfer. Thus, it can prevent the increased use of HVAC systems. Aside from the home energy-saving benefit, however, you can expect better insulation with this fixture. This can help reduce outdoor noises, allowing you to enjoy peace and quiet at home, even in the middle of a busy district.

How they save energy: They allow or prevent heat in the house, depending on your needs.

These window treatments are not only stylish, but they’re also very energy-efficient in that they open and close, based on their readings of the temperatures inside and outside the house. They automatically close during the hottest part of the day, decreasing the use of the air con. Meanwhile, they open when the sun’s out during cold seasons, letting the natural light in, heating up the room. 

On top of this, you can control them with just a tap on your mobile device. Even though you’re away or already tucked in bed, you can still close or open those shades.

How they save energy: They shut down power when devices plugged go into standby mode.

The regular plug boards do a great job at making power outlets more accessible at home. But their convenience also makes homeowners a little lax when plugging devices. They almost always leave phones or laptops plugged in, through and through. Unfortunately, even if your battery is already fully charged, they would still consume electricity.

In smart power strips, the electricity gets cut off on devices that are either fully charged or not in use. So even if you forget to unplug your smartphone, you can rest assured that your electric meter isn’t running.

How it saves energy: It helps lessen the use of the heating and cooling units when you don’t need them–say, when you’re away or asleep.

Again, it’s no secret that keeping a comfortable indoor temperature is quite expensive. That’s why aside from energy-efficient windows and treatments, you need a programmable thermostat for a better money-savings strategy. This device adjusts the indoor temperature at different times of the day, based on the settings you put in place. For instance, when you’re out to work or in bed, the device turns down the heat, thereby reducing energy use.

Most people hook up their thermostat to the home security system; so the technology would know when they’re in or out of the house. If you’d also like to save more on securing your home, go for alarm systems that come with energy-efficient features.

How they save energy: They are designed to use the least amount of energy to function and complete tasks. 

Appliances that bear the Energy Star logo have gone through testing procedures and were determined to be more energy-efficient than the minimum government standards. You can be sure, then, that once you use them, you’re going to save a lot on energy consumption. When buying, check out the yellow-and-black label to know the estimated annual energy consumption of the appliance. 

Do take note, also, that there are incentive programs for these eco-friendly options to encourage purchase. You could be looking at more ways to save money even before you use these energy-saving technologies.

How it saves energy: It doesn’t, in the literal sense of the word; but it helps you do that by showing you how much electricity you’re using at home.

This device features a sensor that collects data from the meter. A transmitter sends that information wirelessly to the handheld device. What you see on the screen would be the converted cost, based on your electricity use. Some energy monitors allow checking on mobile phones or laptops; so, it’s very convenient.

With this device, walk around the house and switch appliances on and off; so, you can see how much energy each one uses. From there, make the necessary changes.

Have you been dealing with high electricity bills lately? Perhaps it’s time to “tech up” your home by upgrading to one of these innovative technologies. Remember, an energy-efficient home is a money-saving home!