Want Home Energy Savings? Space-Age Devices Are Here NOW!
| Thanks to smart technology, you can cut energy costs through a bunch of new whiz-bang devices. Some of these gizmos are so cheap, they pay for themselves in months. Here’s a list of some of my favorites, but new ones crop up every day. Many can be voice-controlled by Alexa or Google Home, or adjusted by your smartphone from anywhere in the world. |
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| Smart power strips. Not only do they prevent surges, but they cut off items in standby mode (like TVs and charging ports) that are constantly draining power. This “plug load” is nothing to ignore. It creates 20 percent of your energy drain. Smart exterior faucets. You don’t need an underground sprinkler system. With new smart faucets, you can set up lawn watering the old-fashioned way, using a hose, and still control sprinkling by monitoring soil moisture, weather and specific plant needs. Learning thermostats. All on their own, they figure out when a room is vacant or if it’s nighttime, and then lower the heating or cooling. Smart light bulbs. While switching from incandescent to LED cuts electricity bills, the new smart LED lights automatically turn off when there is no motion in the room. Plus, you can monitor their energy use via your smartphone. Smart window coverings. You now can program your curtains and blinds to open and close automatically to minimize heat or cooling loss, or to save on lighting. These smart blinds have a big impact, of up to 20 percent savings, on your space heating or cooling expenses. EV charging stations. With more families using all-electric vehicles, costs for charging them can be significant. But by installing an EV charging station, you can cut the cost at least in half. Energy-efficient products. Don’t forget the impact of other individual products in the home that can cut energy costs, even if they are not connected to Alexa or Google Home: regular LED light bulbs, flow-restricted shower faucets, insulation, and light-sensing switches. |
| JANICE HOVORKA RE/MAX 303-324-4705 janice@janicehovorka.com http://www.janicehovorka.com |