8 Ways How Smart Homes Can Save Energy

Technology has altered everything in the world – and nothing better reflects our never-ending march toward the future than Smart Home technology, which is becoming more popular and powerful by the day. The concept has evolved well beyond home security systems, activating sprinklers, and detecting leaks in houses. Smart devices can now be configured to perform tasks on your schedule, transmit alerts about performance issues before they become a major problem, and even alter energy usage based on occupancy detection.

Many of the advantages of having a smart home come in unexpected ways - they save energy and heat, making them environmentally friendly and potentially cost-effective to live in. With energy costs eroding household budgets, families are turning to smart home energy solutions to reduce their monthly utility bills. Smart-home devices can help you do exactly this by providing you more control over the devices in your home that use electricity.

But, how do smart houses save so much energy?

What Is Smart Home Automation?

Smart Home Automation is the use of technology to automate your home. Almost every aspect of your home can be controlled remotely with the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart Home Automation began with the invention of the thermostat and has since grown into one of the most important and fastest-growing sectors in technology.

Home security, energy monitoring, personal assistant, and other uses are possible with the use of smart home automation. However, Smart Home Automation more accurately refers to a home in which nearly everything is connected to a remotely controllable network. It allows you to streamline your access to all parts of your home, including lighting, curtains, air conditioning, security, media, health and safety of household users, and locking doors.

Home Automation: How Does It Work?

Through a network of hardware and software interfaces, home automation aims to connect everyday devices via wireless technology. Sensors embedded in each gadget allow you to control them remotely using a smartphone or tablet, no matter where you are. This feature allows you to automate your day-to-day or remotely access your home to, for example, lock the front door, turn down the heat, and control the lights.

Home automation systems consist of three main components: sensors, controllers, and actuators.

• Sensors can detect daylight, temperature changes, or motion. Home automation systems can then adjust those settings based on your preferences.


• A controller is a device that sends and receives messages about the status of automated features in your home.


• The actuators in a home automation system control the actual mechanism, or function, of the system.

How Energy Efficient Are Smart Homes?

The beauty of the way in which smart homes save energy is the convenience of it. They do not restrict your energy consumption nor do they force you to do so. Instead, they analyse your lifestyle and discover ways to conserve energy when and where it isn't required. In the UAE, the domestic and commercial building sector accounts for 78% of the total electrical energy consumption, which naturally draws attention to the need to implement measures to reduce building energy consumption.

Several studies have found that about 30-40% of energy can be saved in a smart home. Smart homes achieve operational energy efficiency by monitoring consumption, providing feedback on when to operate your energy-consuming devices, and being demand response capable. In broader terms, demand response (DR) involves reducing energy load in response to supply constraints, generally during peak demand periods.

8 Ways Smart Homes Can Save You Energy

By providing you more control over the objects in your home, smart-home devices can help save energy and water while also saving money. Read on to discover its true potential.

1. Smart Thermostats

With smart thermostats and temperature sensors, you can adjust energy consumption on the fly. According to a smart thermostat study, the average household could save between 10-12 percent on heating and cooling costs. Heat and cooling systems consume the most energy in a home, so those percentages can lead to monthly savings.

When no one is home, there is less need for heating and cooling, and energy-efficient settings help reduce your heating bill. Smart thermostats can be programmed and controlled remotely using your smartphone, and they will make sure your furnace stays off when you're away, and then warms up just before you get home.




2. Smart Light Bulbs

A smart bulb is a light bulb that talks to a wireless network and can be controlled via an app. As with smart thermostats, smart bulbs can be programmed to turn on and off automatically. Some smart bulb brands automatically turn on the lights when you arrive home. In case you accidentally leave your lights on, you can turn them off remotely. When you do not require a bright light from a smart bulb, you also can dim it to save energy.




3. Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are a good place to start if you don't have a smart home platform yet. They plug into your electrical outlets and manage the energy consumption of whatever you plug into them. You can schedule times of use, turn on and off power remotely, and view your total energy usage. You can also use it to determine which electrical products and devices continue to consume power even when not in use, a phenomenon known as phantom or "vampire" energy.




4. Smart Appliances

Smart appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and coffee makers are changing the way we interact with our kitchen gadgets. When you leave the refrigerator door open, a notification appears on your phone, and a smart washing machine will alert you if it needs repair. Repairing your appliances quickly can save you the expense of having them replaced. In some cases, your dryer can even tell you when you'll be charged the least amount to dry your clothes during peak times.




5. Smart Home Security Systems

You can be alerted of intruders via smart home security systems, and you can even watch a live stream of your property. They keep you safe and can also save you money. False alarms are a common problem with home security systems, and repeated calls can result in fines from your local police department. Using smart security, you can determine if the problem is a real emergency or simply a squirrel running past your security camera.




6. Smart Sprinkler Systems

The ability to save on your water bill is another advantage of smart devices. Sprinkler systems with smart weather forecasts use automatic irrigation systems. Watering your lawn synchronises with rain forecasts, which means that there will be no more watering the lawn during a downpour if you don't turn off the sprinklers. You'll also receive water usage reports from smart sprinklers, so you'll know when to cut back on water consumption.




7. Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detectors

Often when a pipe freezes or leaks, it will flood a home, requiring expensive cleanup and repairs. The use of smart water leak and freeze detectors can help you stop leaks before they damage precious heirlooms, electronics and personal possessions.

You can install smart leak detectors under your sinks, around your hot water tanks, or wherever there is water. Even when you are not in the house, you will receive a text or email when a water problem occurs. Early detection can save you money, time, and the hassle of wasting water or replacing soiled carpets.




8. The “All-Off” Command

Have you ever accidentally left the television on while leaving home in a hurry? A home automation system can be programmed to turn off or modify any electronic devices still in use. A complete or customised "all off" household feature can be activated in several ways: by arming your security system, signalling a motion sensor, or closing the front door. With the "all off" feature, you can be sure you didn't leave anything on, hence lowering your energy bill.

Benefits Of Smart Home Automation In Terms Of Energy Savings

Cutting your energy use can help you save money on your bills, and smart home technology can help you accomplish just that. Take a look at how:

1. Prevent energy vampires

Even if you're not aware of it, energy vampires might hide in your home. When you plug electronic devices into your wall, even when they are turned off, they consume a lot of power. A smart power strip can control these vampires by reducing power use. They accomplish this by turning off power items that are in standby mode, so saving both energy and money.




Maintain a comfortable temperature

When the summer heat approaches, it's tempting to turn on your air conditioner to stay cool. This strategy will significantly increase your energy cost, however, there is a workaround.

Smart thermostats are wirelessly connected devices that automatically adjust your home's heating and cooling temperatures. Typical features include programming your preferred temperatures, creating an optimum automated schedule, offering energy usage data that you can easily monitor, and allowing you to regulate your home's temperature via your smartphone.




Smart blinds keep the sun out

During the summer, when the days are long, the sun shines into your home for the majority of the day. Smart blinds can maximise natural light while blocking out harmful UV rays during the warmest times of the day.

Smart motorised window shades can assist regulate the heat in a room by opening and closing at regular pre-programmed intervals. The blinds will know when to close during the hottest periods of the day, reducing the demand for air conditioning. They are also set to open on bright days in the winter to allow the sun to heat the space.




Smart lighting control your lights

When you're in a rush, it's easy to forget to switch off the lights when you leave a room. Fortunately, with smart options, this will no longer be an issue.

While the initial expense of bulbs may put some people off, they have a longer life expectancy and have been proven to save you money over time. They are also highly versatile, with numerous fascinating customisation options, such as having them turn on automatically with your morning alarm.




Smart appliances simplify daily tasks

Smart appliances allow homeowners to simplify their daily lives while also conserving energy.

Smart dishwashers, for example, expand typical dishwashing capabilities with choices such as voice commands. You may also start wash cycles from your smartphone and track their progress. When a wash is finished or if there is a problem, you will receive notifications on your phone.

Smart microwaves can do more than simply reheat leftovers. Like dishwashers, you can operate the microwave with your smartphone and receive notifications when your meal is ready.

Are Smart Homes A Smart Idea?

In the face of mounting utility expenses, increased energy efficiency and control is the only way to keep your bills in check. Home automation systems minimise energy consumption and, therefore, household expenses. They significantly contribute to reducing your carbon footprint, which is a practical way to take responsibility for environmental change. Utilising a one-stop "all off" electronics command combined with properly programmed lighting, temperature, shades, and ceiling fans can result in great monthly savings for you and your family.

A truly smart, connected home—one that can autonomously assess and respond to real-time power, water, heating, and other resource requirements—can improve sustainability. At Syncrow, our team eliminates the need for lifestyle concessions through the creative application of state-of-the-art automation solutions. By utilising the latest tech innovations, we offer faster, better, and more convenient solutions that address the needs of global customers.

In Conclusion

The elegance of the way smart homes save energy is their brilliance. They make no attempt to limit your energy consumption, nor do they force you to do so. Instead, they monitor your habits and look for methods to save energy when you don't need it. They are also intended to make the best use of available energy.