This year’s theme is, “Invest in Our Planet,” with the Earth Day Organization encouraging us to, “…Act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably).” (Earth Day Organization, 2022) Here at Local Intellitech, we are strong advocates for taking a more environmentally sustainable approach to life. We think there is a way to accomplish this without having to sacrifice the quality of life we have come to enjoy here in the United States. In fact, we think the opposite! Through leveraging the power of smart technology, we can run a more sustainable, energy efficient household, while enjoying the benefits of home automation and integration. Check out our list of simple energy efficient swaps you can make in your home to invest in our planet this Earth Day!
Smart Plugs
This is the simplest energy efficient swap you can make, giving you control of your home devices using simple voice commands. Create customized schedules to power your electronic appliances, turning them on and off automatically, which is great for helping save energy and money. You can manage multiple smart plugs simultaneously with the touch of one button, letting you control your smart devices simply and efficiently, maximizing your time savings, along with helping you be more energy efficient.
Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are LEDs, making them highly efficient, using much less energy than their incandescent counterparts. Using 90% less power and lasting twenty-five times as long, these light bulbs are not only more efficient, but their overall lifetime value means you will not be swapping them out very often either. With smart light bulbs, you can also look for brands that have earned the ENERGY STAR, meaning it uses less energy when it is on and in standby. Some extra benefits that can help reduce your energy footprint include scheduling, setting timers, dimming your lights and your ability to turn your lights off from anywhere, so if you were in a rush heading out the door, you can check in from your phone and make sure your lights are off for the day.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are the go-to swap when people first look at making their homes more energy efficient. Smart thermostats can learn the temperatures you like and create a custom schedule for your home. They automatically turn themselves down after you leave so you’re not heating or cooling an empty home. You can control them from anywhere using your phone, tablet or laptop, and most models now have analytics you can review to see how much energy you use and why. Smart thermostats can save an average of 10% to 12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills, meaning they often pay for themselves in under two years. Based on typical energy costs, that’s an estimated average savings of $131 to $145 a year.*
Smart Water Leak Detector
Water sensors are a lesser-known smart device that can offer the ultimate peace of mind when dealing with potential leaks and drips in your home. Connecting through Wi-Fi, your water sensors will alert you through app notifications and alerts, along with emails if anything is detected. This means you can know your home is safe from water damage, whether you're at home, or traveling. Not only does this offer peace of mind, but through immediately detecting any leaks or drips, you will limit excess water usage, reducing your water bill!
Smart Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems are great for setting schedules to make sure your lawn gets the water it needs when it needs it. Many sprinkler systems will automatically adjust your irrigation schedule based on the forecast for your area, making sure you're never caught watering your lawn when it's raining or snowing, saving you money. Connecting with many smart home systems, you can easily control your sprinklers from the app on your phone, giving you the ultimate control in your sprinkler settings and keeping that water consumption and bill down.
While these items may cost more up front, they will save you money over time, as they reduce your energy consumption, through schedules, timers, automation, and sensors that learn your family’s at home routines and schedules. No matter which devices you choose, they will help make your home more sustainable! Maybe you’re interested in all the above? Checkout our Energy Efficient Bundles, where you save money by grouping your energy efficient smart devices and installation services together. We will show up with and install everything you need to invest in our planet today. Because, as they said, “It’s going to take all of us.” (Earth Day Organization, 2022) Here at Local Intellitech, we could not agree more. Which energy efficient swap are you planning to make this Earth Day? Let us know how your household is choosing to invest in our planet for Earth Day 2022!
*Savings not guaranteed, this is an estimate.
Works Cited
Earth Day Organization. (2022). Invest in Our Planet. Retrieved from Earth Day: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2022/#:~:text=Now%20is%20the%20time%20for,to%20take%20all%20of%20us.
