Technology is changing our world at an astounding rate. One of the many thousands of ways we can see that right before our eyes is within our homes. Homes that are laced with technology have become relatively commonplace. Many people are retrofitting their homes to utilize tech, and new construction homes are starting to come with it standard.
All of this technology can make our lives far more convenient, and it can also help us better attain our goals of becoming more sustainable. That’s right, tech-infused homes can do a lot to help lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and create a more eco-friendly living space. Furthermore, you can reap savings in your utility bills.
Making Your Home Smarter
Looking to save water? Here, the second generation Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant + Shutoff will detect the smallest leaks and can automatically shut the water main off. Image: Phyn.
When many people think of ways to make their homes smarter, they think of at-home voice assistant devices powered by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri. These devices can be a great place to start when thinking about upgrades that can make the home function more efficiently and sustainably. The Google Home ecosystem, for instance, can connect with a large array of apps and smart technology within the home so everything is accessed from one focal point.
The majority of modern smart devices that can be used to make the home more efficient can be managed from your phone. This means that not only can you set a schedule for your home, but you can also adjust it on the go. Surprised to hear that your in-laws are in town? No worries, you can adjust the temperature in the house from work before they arrive so it is cozy in the guest bedroom.
Smart thermostats that do just that are one of the more substantial devices that can be purchased to make your home more sustainable. You can lower temperatures during the day when no one is home and adjust them to be comfortable by the time the kids get home from school. In fact, you could save up to 23% more energy which also equates to lower electricity bills. Other clever apps include those that allow users to adjust the lawn sprinkler schedule and ones that control the lighting in the home.
Smart, Green Home Improvements
Some bigger home improvements can also do a lot to increase sustainability and save money. Many of these are starting to incorporate smart tech as well. This is something that many people are starting to expect in their homes. in many ways smart technology has started to normalize sustainability goals within homes.
For example, many new homeowners are upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances. These upgrades can save a lot of energy which equates to money saved as well. However, many of these new appliances are also coming with smart components. For instance, a smart refrigerator can keep an inventory and create a shopping list that syncs with your phone, and smart microwaves can be controlled using an Alexa device.
Major home upgrades such as installing solar panels, switching to a low-flow plumbing system, or updating the roof are also great ways to become more sustainable. In many ways, these features are incorporating smart tech too. Smart solar panels can maximize output during certain parts of the day and protect themselves from surges—and all of this can be conveniently viewed on an app.
Working towards sustainability
Of course, all of these updates to the home and the incorporation of smart technology is part of a larger goal to become more sustainable in general. There are thousands of things you can do to make your life more environmentally friendly. For instance, shopping locally, growing a garden, and composting all make a huge difference.
Almost every sustainability expert will tell you though, that some of the largest and most significant changes you can make in your personal life have to do with your home. Investing in appliances and repairs that conserve energy and water go a long way. The cool thing is that now many of these fixes include upgrades that make them easier than ever to use.
Smart technology is changing nearly every aspect of our lives. Many would argue that the technology has increased the acceptance of tools that will make the home more sustainable. Both small smart tech upgrades like a thermostat and big ones like solar panels make a difference. So get out there and make it happen!
