Does A Smart Home Save You Money?
You can probably imagine how smart technology would make your daily life more seamless (and maybe even make you feel like Iron Man).
You can probably imagine how smart technology would make your daily life more seamless (and maybe even make you feel like Iron Man). But did you know it could save you a lot of money in the long run?
Heating/Cooling
Almost half of the power bill for the average US household is accounted for by temperature regulation. This is easily overlooked as we focus on our other expenses like food or gas. By adapting to your daily needs, a smart thermostat cuts on wasted energy and can reduce your costs by 10 to 15 percent. It gives you extended control of your home, enabling you to set timers and control the temperature, even when you’re not around. Best of all, it'll learn your daily behavior and automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day. Plus, less electricity means a greener home!
Lighting
Every single one of us has returned home to find we carelessly left a light on all day. This comes at a cost, as does leaving lights on in rooms we’re not currently in. Smart lights allow you to set timers and control your lights remotely, and you can link them to motion sensors so the lights switch off automatically when you leave a room. Smart LEDs are often more energy-efficient, too, making saving energy and money all the more passive.
Plugs
Just like leaving the lights on, keeping electronics plugged in and on while not in use can add an unnecessary expense to your power bill. By using a smart plug, you can monitor and schedule your electronics, saving money and answering the daily question of, did I remember to turn that off? Additionally, this quells any safety concerns for devices like irons or hair straighteners. The best part? Coming in at around $50, smart switches don’t have to break the bank.
Water Management
Anyone with a yard can save a good deal of money by setting up a smart sprinkler system. These allow you to schedule times for the sprinklers to come on, and customize them to adapt to your yard. Some brands even include an app that can be connected to an Amazon Echo or Google Home. Some even analyze predicted weather conditions over Wi-Fi and adapt their schedule accordingly.
Damage Prevention
By picking up on a water leak early, you could be saving yourself thousands in repair costs. A smart water sensor will alert you if it identifies a leak. You can place them under the sink, by the water heater, or at any water source. Look for models that can be easily set up over Wi-Fi with a free app, ideally with a warranty of 3 months or longer. A water sensor costs you only its purchase price and a battery every 6 months, but it could save you from a huge financial dent in the long run.
Outdoor Lighting
There’s no reason to still be using internal powering for outdoor lights in 2020. Investing in solar lighting will save you money after purchase and will ease your environmental conscience. They work great in any driveway or yard to light your path and accentuate your favorite lawn features.
Security
Protect your home and belongings from a break-in by being prepared with a security system. If perpetrators aren’t already deterred by seeing a camera out front, a smart system will alert you in real-time so you can call the police and potentially save yourself of financial and emotional stress. Most models also allow you to enable an alarm, and many give you the option to be notified by motion sensors and to speak to whoever is outside your house through a small built-in speaker and microphone.
Smart Energy Monitor
Instead of realizing at the end of the month, when it’s too late, that your energy consumption is running high, you can stay ahead of the game with a smart energy monitor. With a smart meter, you can track your energy usage from home or away and even see an overview of which devices are on. That way, you can halt energy drainage before it gets too serious.
Find out how Atmos can help you build your dream home decked out with all the smart bells and whistles.
