Moving Offices? Here’s Why You Should Call a Commercial Electrician

Recent advances in technology have inspired many homeowners around the world to utilise home automation and integrate smart home devices to upgrade their lifestyle. But did you know they can also help you save on your electricity bill?

If you’re curious about upgrading your home to a smart home, whether it’s to save on energy use, or automate tasks to take them off your personal plate, here are some of the best smart home devices and smart home ideas to get you started.

Why Invest In Smart Home Technology?

In the past four years, the estimated number of smart homes in the country has grown exponentially. Those numbers tell a very definite trend of homeowners moving towards automation and smart technology, with 49% of Australians reporting some form of smart home technology adoption as of mid 2020.

Not only do smart home devices give you better control over your home functions, but they also save you time, energy and savings in the long run. Some even make your home a safer place to live and better protected from possible intruders, which can reward you with insurance premium savings.

Besides these obvious benefits, upgrading to a smart home can increase your overall home value by as much as 10%. That’s because many young homeowners that are entering the real estate market are more likely to purchase a home with smart technology. Realtors swear by the increased value of incorporating smart home technology into your home as a major plus for buyers and a boon for sellers.

Here are some of the best smart home devices you can get for your dream home:

Smart Thermostat

If you want to lower your cooling and heating bills, or you find yourself constantly adjusting your temperature setting on your current thermostat, a smart thermostat is the perfect solution. These smart home devices are perfect for hands-off temperature control, but you can regulate them from anywhere in the world through your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

A smart thermostat can learn your patterns of behavior and adjust your temperature settings accordingly. That means a more comfortable living experience, but also likely energy savings, since your temperature settings are always coordinated and tailored to your lifestyle.

Smart Toilet

Modern toilets go above and beyond what you could have imagined just a few years ago – some go as far as to play soothing music while warming and deodorising. But most notably, modern toilets use far less water than their older counterparts.

That’s because smart toilets use adjusted force to flush using only 4.8 litres of water. That translates to a savings of roughly 60,500 litres of water for an average family every year! This not only lowers your utility bill, but also decreases your footprint on the environment and updates a part of your home that sees plenty of use.

Smart Window Shades

Smart window shades can greatly reduce your need for heating and air conditioning and lower your overall energy use during the hotter summer months. These shades can save you both money and time, as they can be automated according to your needs. Certain smart shades are also solar powered, meaning you’ll be purchasing a sustainable and practical smart solution for your home that pays for itself in energy savings.

You can even control these devices through your smartphone or tablet from anywhere. Additionally, they work well to create the appearance of someone in the house when you’re out of town, making them doubly functional as a security measure.

Smart Kitchen Appliances

Next generation smart appliances not only give you the best that technology has to offer, but they’ll minimise your energy costs while maximising on your home’s resale value. From smart convection ovens to refrigerators that notify you of temperature changes and food spoilage, smart tech can be used to streamline so many functions of your home and bring you the most energy savings.

Smart Lighting

One of the best energy saving tips we can offer is investing in smart lighting. Energy saving light bulbs are highly desirable for their long-term value and light energy footprint, and are one of the best smart home upgrades you can get for your home. Though they can be a bit costly up front, they should also be a pillar in your energy saving scheme.

While regular outdoor lights can waste energy, many smart lights use automated sensors with photoelectric control technology to detect the presence of animals or people around your home, and turn on only when necessary. This allows these bulbs to save 65% of your total energy consumption, which means this investment will pay off in savings over a period of time.

Indoor lights offer similar benefits, and can provide ambiance in the form of near infinite color and brightness adjustment, all controllable from your choice of smart device.

Smart Sprinkler System

Sprinkler systems can be notoriously wasteful when it comes to water use, but luckily, you can upgrade to a smart system that actually saves you up to 50% on your water bill every month. Most systems just require a mobile app to connect your controller to the internet, and you’ll have full command of your settings from anywhere in the world.

Smart sprinklers also sense precipitation, wind and frost and won’t water in those adverse conditions. You can also schedule watering while you’re away without having to worry about coming back to a dead lawn and garden!

Final Thoughts

We hope this list of smart home devices gives you a better understanding of their energy saving potential and the value they add to your home. If you are a homeowner considering upgrading your home to a smart home, contact Faraday Group today to discuss our smart home integration services. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to work with you to determine the best technologies to match your needs and budget and get you the home of the future you always wanted.