How to Manage & Monitor Energy Usage in Your Home

Take Advantage of Smart Technology to Improve Home Energy Management

Most homeowners want to save energy. It not only helps the environment, but an energy-efficient home is a more comfortable space. In addition, saving energy equates to saving money! But doing it involves a lot more than turning off the lights when you leave a room or manually adjusting your thermostat. The most effective home energy management starts with smart technology.

Technologies such as lighting automation, motorized shades, and smart indoor climate control help you save bundles on your energy bill as well as reduce your carbon footprint. Would you like to learn how to enjoy an energy-conscious lifestyle in Healdsburg, CA? Keep reading below!

SEE MORE: Enjoy Solar Tax Credits & Freedom from Rolling Blackouts  

Waste Not, Want Not! 

It’s nothing new that Americans waste more than other countries in the world. But we are also a country that gives more to those who are less fortunate. Still, reducing waste should be a priority because it leaves us even more to give and save! Your home’s energy efficiency starts with cutting back on waste. Here are three ways to start: lighting, shades, and heat and AC.

 

Smart Lighting Control 

Smart lighting uses occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lights in areas not in use. So, if you forget to turn off the lights when you leave a room, don’t worry. In a few moments, your system does it for you. At the same time, you can easily adjust the illumination of your lights on your smart device to make them brighter or dimmer based on the event or time of day.

 

Automated Shades & Window Treatments

Motorized shades control the natural light entering your home. They not only allow you to switch off your artificial lights, but they help to control heat (i.e., let it in during the winter, keep it out in the summer). Best of all, you can control them with the tap of a button on a smart home tablet or smartphone app. Just like smart lighting, they operate independently too – adjusting on their own based on the time of day or light sensors.

 

Smart Thermostats & HVAC Systems

Smart indoor climate control is one of the newer innovations in home energy management. Smart thermostats go into energy-saving mode when the system detects you’re away from home. Other HVAC systems automatically adjust the temperature in different rooms to ensure a consistent indoor climate throughout your home. They can even “turn off” the heat or air in an unused room.

 

Energy Monitoring Made Easy

Do you know how much energy your lighting, HVAC, and other systems are using each day? Probably not. Instead of crunching numbers on your electric meter or timing how long a light is on, do it the easy way. For instance, a Control4 or Savant home automation system can be easily integrated to work as a home energy management tool. Then, you’ll be able to monitor your home’s energy use every day and in real-time.

If you notice problem areas in your home, such as the HVAC system or kitchen appliances, you can take action. A complete smart home keeps you informed of your home’s energy consumption and acts as a home energy management system to regulate all your connected technologies.

  Discover how to save energy in your home with help from Summit Technology Group. It’s easy to get started! Call us at 707-542-4773 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.