CL-Nov/Dec_2024 - 24

ENERGY SENSE
Home Tech
on a Budget
Saving money starts with
spending it wisely
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q:
W
How can smart home
technology help me
lower my power bill?
hen upgrading to smart
technology at home,
consider the purchase cost
and long-term savings. For example,
you may pay a little more for a product
with the latest technology, but it could
result in signifi cant yearly savings over
the appliance's lifetime.
Here are some smart devices that
will take the work out of saving energy.
SMART THERMOSTATS
Smart thermostats save energy by
automatically adjusting your heating
or cooling system. For example, you
can save as much as 10% a year on
heating and cooling costs by adjusting
Smart heat pump water heaters are equipped with
automation features that help you use less energy.
A:
Smart technology can make it easier to save energy by simplifying
or automating tasks. It can also optimize energy use to reduce
waste and improve effi ciency.
your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees from
its normal setting for eight hours a
day, according to the Department of
Energy.
You can program a smart
thermostat to change the temperature
while asleep or away, or use a
smartphone app to adjust your
thermostat settings. Some models
use artifi cial intelligence to maximize
effi ciency by learning your patterns
and preferences. Prices range from
$80 to $250, depending on features.
Smart thermostats do not work with
all heating and cooling systems, so
check compatibility before you buy.
WATER HEATER TIMER
Your water heater can also
be controlled for energy savings.
Installing a timer on your electric
water heater can save 5% to 12% of
the energy it uses by turning it off at
night and when you don't need to use
hot water, according to the DOE.
If you are already planning to
Smart thermostats make it easier to
save energy by automatically changing
the temperature when you are asleep
or not at home.
replace your electric storage water
heater with a heat pump water heater,
consider a model equipped with smart
technology features, including Wi-Fi
capabilities for controlling it remotely
or during peak demand times, viewing
the amount of hot water available
and tracking energy use. Th ere are a
variety of modes, including vacation,
effi ciency and high demand, which
22 * Cooperative Living * November-December 2024
produces more hot water. Some
models can notify you or shut off if
a leak is detected. Depending on the
manufacturer and size of the unit, a
smart heat pump water heater may only
cost a few hundred dollars more than
a standard heat pump water heater.
SMART LIGHTING
Smart light switches are another
budget-friendly way to control lighting.
Th ey're priced from about $10 to $50.
Smart switches with dimmable options
are available and can also control
ceiling fans. Some occupancy sensors
turn lights off when no movement is
detected in a room.
Various smart shades, curtains and
blinds are available, including styles
with integrated controls. You can also
add smart controls to your existing
blinds or curtains. Both options allow
you to adjust the blinds' tilt and open
or close curtains. Set a schedule,
control them remotely or use a voice
command paired with a voice assistant,
such as Alexa or Google Home.
Upgrading to smart home
technologies can make using less
energy at home easy. Choose options
that make the most sense for your
lifestyle to optimize savings.
*
Miranda Boutelle writes on energyeffi
ciency topics for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY BRAD THIESSEN, COLLABORATIVE EFFICIENCY
PHOTO COURTESY NORTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE
http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-Nov/Dec_2024

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