3 Ways Tech Devices Can Save on Home Costs
Tips to lower your monthly bills using “smarts.”
Technology can make life easier and even fun. But the very best kind of tech also helps us save money. If you’re looking for ideas to save some cents at home, we’ve got you covered. Follow these tech-savvy tips and your wallet will thank you.
Install Smart Thermostats
Smart, or connected, thermostats control your heating and cooling system.
Some models learn your heating patterns and automate the process, ensuring consistently low energy use. Other options connect to the internet and adjust your home’s temperature based on the local weather. You can also control these thermostats with your smartphone.
With sensors available that can be placed in all your rooms, certain units allow you to heat or cool only the rooms you’re using.
The price of a smart thermostat ranges from $120 to $250. (Depending on the brand, manufacturers say these products could save you $130 to $150 per year on heating and cooling bills.)
Today’s smart thermostat options include:
•Google’s Nest Thermostat and Nest Learning Thermostat
•Ecobee’s Lite Smart Thermostat and Smart Thermostat
•Thermostat Honeywell’s T9 Smart Thermostat with or without sensors
Switch to Smart Plugs
These provide a good way to step up your home safety as you save money. Insert the smart plug into a standard outlet. Then plug in your small appliances, beauty tools, lamps, or electric heaters. Control your devices from your smartphone or set their power to a timer.
With smart plugs, you can make certain any potentially dangerous appliances are powered off when you aren’t using them. Or set a daily schedule to reduce energy use when you’re asleep.
The cost of a single smart plug ranges from $14 to $25.
Today’s smart plug options include:
Use Smart Lighting
Maybe you’ve already switched to energy efficient bulbs? Smart light bulbs could be your next step. This next- generation lighting can save you money by ensuring that hardwired lights and lamps are off when you don’t need them.
Depending on the model, smart lighting relies on motion detectors, timers, or geofencing (which generally means that the location of your phone triggers your lighting off or on). Some options also let you adjust the bulb’s temperature, brightness, and color.
Smart light bulbs generally range from $16 to $30 per two-pack.
Today’s smart lighting options include:
•LIFX
Bonus Round: Appliances
Looking for more ways to save on home costs?
1. Rinse dishes before placing them in your dishwasher.
2. Wait until you have a full load of laundry to use your washer—and use cold or warm water instead of hot. (Note that many of today’s detergents are designed to be used in cooler water temps.)
3. Clean the lint trap of your dryer after every load
Will you be trying out any of these smart gadgets?
This article was originally published in the Fall 2021 issue of Clover Living magazine.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan.
Published on 5/4/22
Photo credit: iStock
