The New Wave of Smart, Home Energy Saving Devices

The movement towards creating a smart energy home is in full swing. We do just about everything you can image with our smart phones and tablets these days, and controlling our home temperature, appliances, and lighting is no exception now. See the features and benefits of some smart home energy devices and how they will save you money while adding convenience and comfort to your living space.

Install a smart thermostat. These thermostats take temperature control to a new level by allowing you to program your AC remotely from a smart phone or tablet, adapts temperature controls to your behavior over time, and many will make adjustments based on factors such as humidity levels and changing weather conditions. NEST, Ecobee, Lyric, and Honeywell are some brands that offer smart thermostats.

Fire Alarms/Air Quality Detectors have come a long way from the conventional styles with the same installation and programming easy of other smart devices plus some excellent lifesaving features. The devices will alert you of fires and unseen toxic dangers via your smart device at home or away. They also alert you to exactly where in the home and what type of danger it is. Newer technologies such as the Birdi also track indoor air quality issues such as dust, VOCs, and humidity. Other brands that offer smart device fire and carbon monoxide detection are NEST, Roost, and Kidde Remote Lync.

Programmable LED Lighting. If you are looking to add some ambiance with mood lighting and also be energy efficient, there are a variety of affordable LED kits you can invest in. You can have the convenience of programmable lighting controls from any room using your smart device with no major remodeling or rewiring by an electrician. GE, Phillips, and other major lighting companies have their own versions of smart LED lighting available at your local hardware stores, online, or at major retailers. Installation is easy and some online setup may be required through the Wink Home Automation Network.

Plug-in to Smart Plugs. Smart plugs or outlet adapters allow you to control the energy management of nearly any electrical product in the home that plugs into an outlet. Imagine using your smart phone to set your lamps to turn on and off at pre-scheduled times or reduce the amount of phantom energy (electricity being used even when appliances are off or on standby mode) to reduce your energy usage and save on electrical bills.  Zuli Smart Plug, D-Link, Digi XBee Smart Plug, and Belkin WeMo Switch are a few selections of smart plugs on the market.

Most of these energy saving devices are affordable and require little effort to setup. Some of these devices are designed to be installed wirelessly or through a simple plug-and-play while other devices may require a professional installation by a licensed contractor. Any investment in these devices will help you plug into savings in the long run!

Contact ELA Home Repairs for all your home energy needs at 1800-368-PROS (7767).