In 2019, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,649 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Electricity powers most of the appliances we use every day, from air conditioners to computers.

One of the most effective ways to make your home more energy-efficient and reduce your costs is to invest in home automation.

In this article, we discuss several smart home tactics that will help you cut your energy use.

Learn How you Are Using Energy

To reduce your energy use, you first need to know how you are using it. 

For starters, consult your local energy auditor to measure the use of electricity in your home. 

If you are more of a DIY type, you can use various gadgets to track electricity usage in real-time. Home energy monitors tell you how much energy you are using and alert you when you leave the basement light on. 

These tools rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to track your electricity usage patterns and offer an estimate of your monthly electricity bills. 

Most importantly, the smartphone app allows you to track electricity usage via multiple devices and from various locations. That is how it helps your family be more informed and efficient.

Optimize your Heating Systems

Space heating is the second largest energy gobbler, right after air conditioners. One of the most effective ways to optimize your heating systems is to invest in smart thermostats. 

These devices use sensors to tell when you are away. They learn your daily schedule, temperature preferences, and behavior patterns. Smart thermostats can even monitor your local weather data to make temperature adjustments automatically, based on the weather forecast. 

Having sensors in different rooms also helps you increase energy efficiency. They help a thermostat adjust to different temperatures and conditions in your home. 

One of the major advantages of smart thermostats is that they are a part of the IoT ecosystem. Therefore, you can connect them to your mobile devices and control them from anywhere.

Control Lights with Smart Bulbs

When we are in a hurry, we often forget to turn the lights off. Fortunately, once you invest in smart home systems, that will not be a problem anymore. 

Smart bulbs are connected to your smartphone, allowing you to customize, schedule, and control home lighting remotely. For instance, when you are out, you can program your outdoor lights. That way, you will come back to a lit house without wasting energy.

Smart bulbs offer a wide range of customization features you can play around with. For example, you can install color-changing smart bulbs and control them via your smartphone. Or, you can have your lighting change with the music. 

Still, the initial price of smart bulbs frustrates many home buyers. While their initial cost may be higher compared to the traditional lighting options, keep in mind that smart bulbs have a longer life expectancy. Most importantly, by going green, they also reduce your expenses in the long run.

Use Smart Blinds to Block Heat 

One of the most frustrating things about the summer is that the sun shines into our homes for most of the day. That is where smart window shades can help, helping you establish an energy efficient home. 

They allow you to get the most out of natural light while blocking the sun rays at the hottest times.  “For example, the electric blinds will automatically close during the warmest parts of the day to reduce the need for air cooling. In the winter, they will open during the brightest parts of the day to let the sun heat the home.

Shift to Smart Home Appliances

Manual household tasks waste our time and energy. Smart home appliances can automate your daily household chores and make your home more sustainable.

One such example is smart washing machines that deliver many advanced features, such as voice controls or Wi-Fi connectivity. You can also start laundry cycles from your smartphone and track them remotely. Most importantly, these machines can track your energy use and run laundry cycles during off-peak hours to help you cut electricity bills.

Over to You

Automation and artificial intelligence enhance almost every segment of our lives, including our homes. Smart home automation systems have gained momentum over the past few years. Their goal is simple – automating manual tasks, boosting energy efficiency, and providing hyperconnected user experiences. 

I hope these insights will help you enhance energy efficiency. Which smart home solution did you like the most?

Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.