As technology has developed over the years, there has always been a lot of discussion that follows it. And much of that discussion has centered around the environmental impact of new technology, which is usually negative. However, in recent years there has been somewhat of a turnaround in the way that new technology affects the environment, and social pressure has resulted in an increase in technology that helps rather than hinders the environment.
And when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint, aside from automobiles, nothing is more important than cutting back on the amount of energy that is wasted in the home. After all, it is where most of us spend most of our time, where we use the most energy, and there are millions of them across the United States. Meaning that if we could cut down on home energy use, it would dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the country as a whole. So is smart home tech the answer to a greener community? Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which it is helping to create eco-friendly homes.
Saving Energy Temperature Control
Heating and cooling is one of the primary reasons for wasted energy–as well as sky high energy bills–in the home. So many of us are wasting unnecessary energy by heating an empty house while we are at work, or when it doesn’t matter when everyone is asleep. It can be frustrating or tedious to try and turn your heating/cooling on or off as you enter and leave the house at the beginning and end of the day. Programmable smart thermostats allow people to program their habits into the device so that they can adjust to suit your schedule, thus saving you both money and energy.
No More Lights Left
We also waste a lot of energy through leaving lights on. Some of this is accidental, when you forget to switch off a light as you leave a room for example, and some of it on purpose, like when you want to deter burglars while you are away on vacation. However, both of these can be prevented through smart home technology. Smart security systems allow remote lighting control, which means that you can not only turn off lights that you accidentally leave on, but you can switch them on and off–or leave them on a timer–when you are on vacation.
Saving Water
Smart home technology has even stretched to more eco-friendly options for saving water. Low-flow showerheads and faucets are a great way to limit water use, and subsequently heating energy, without sacrificing good water pressure. You can also buy a device known as a water pebble that will help you to monitor the length of your daily showers, and cut down on time spent washing.
Producing Your Own Energy
And if you want to go a step further, solar energy and wind power is at an all time high for affordability and efficiency. Many people are turning to renewable energy sources as a way to save money on energy in the long run.
Featured images:
- License: Image author owned
- License: Image author owned
About the author: Lindsey Patterson is a freelance writer who specializes in technology and the latest social trends, specifically involving social media.