The battle to save money on utilities is as old as electricity–we probably all had dads that reprimanded us for “cooling the backyard” whenever we left a door open in the summer, and as an adult, it’s frustrating to find lights that have been left on all day while you’ve been away.
Thanks to technology, there are smart investments you can make in devices that will actually save you major money in the long run. We took a look at three easy smart upgrades you can make with technology that will save you money on utilities by Wyoming Storage Containers.
Thermostats
These are one of the most popular and oldest smart upgrades you can make to your home, and it can have a huge impact! If you’ve ever left the heat or AC on during the day so that when you come home your house is comfy, or have woken up in the middle of the night on vacation and realized you’re paying for your house to stay cool while you’re away, this upgrade is for you!
Smart thermostats have a number of cool features about them. First, they can learn your routines and habits, so your house is always at the perfect temperature while home, and saving money while away. You can adjust the temperatures by talking to the devices, and they will also take into account current electricity costs and adjust to save your money.
Two of the most popular devices are the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Honeywell Touch-Screen Programmable Thermostat. Both can be controlled with apps on your phone while away–super convenient when you want to change the temperatures while in your bed or on vacation!
Lighting
Connected lighting is another huge money saver when you upgrade. There are several ways to save on lighting–you may install Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs like Philips Hue. You can also have your lamps plugged into smart outlets (more on that later), or you can have special switches installed on the walls.
No more leaving a light on when you go out in the morning so it will be on when you come home at dark–with all these options, you can be connected to your lighting through your phone, and turn off the necessary lights at work or turn on the necessary lights on your way home.
Another cool feature about these lights is their dimming capabilities. Oftentimes, you don’t need the full brightness that the bulb has to offer, so you can save electricity costs by dimming them to the brightness needed at the time.
Smart Outlets
Smart outlets are another clever solution for those who want to minimize their utility bills. A smart outlet is a device that plugs into the wall and then allows your appliances and lighting to be plugged into it.
There are several good reasons to use a smart outlet. First, you can make sure things get turned off when they are not in use. Lamps, flat irons, appliances, and devices can all be turned off on a schedule or individually, depending on what works for you. At night, the Wi-Fi, TV, and gaming consoles can be turned off with the touch of a button on your phone to ensure you’re not paying for them to be on all night, and to deter kids from sneaking down to play games.
They can also be helpful to the routines of your family. They can be programmed to wake you up gently in the mornings with light and to turn kids’ nightlights or sound machines on at night without you having to remember. You can also program them to turn on lights in the house at the proper times, to give your house the appearance of being lived in, even while you’re away.
Between now and the end of the year, try to budget and work going room by room to make your house “smart”–and the results will show in your utility bill! Experts estimate that the average house wastes 30% of their electricity every year by simple things like lights left on and AC running when it’s not needed.
At Self Assured Storage, we are always interested in helping our customers’ homes run as efficiently as possible. When it comes time to move, downsize, declutter, or make space for other things, we are experts at keeping your belongings safe and clean until you need them again. Give Self Assured Storage a call today for all your organization storage needs!
