FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e JULY 16, 2020 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 39
Four ways a smart home can save you money
Over the course of the last several
months, hundreds of millions of people
have sheltered in place as governments
issue executive orders to help slow
the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-
19). As a result, many homes are becoming
a fortress against the virus, a makeshift
school, an offi ce outpost and a daycare
facility. As summer approaches and
homeowners continue to spend more
time at home with the air conditioner and
the lights on, they are looking for ways
to optimize the effi ciency of their homes.
Th e typical U.S. family spends at least
$2,200 a year on home utility bills, according
to the U.S. Department of Energy. On
average, that’s 7% of a consumer’s annual
income. Utilities that used to be considered
“optional,” such as Internet and
mobile phone service, are now considered
essential during the coronavirus era,
adding additional expense to a family’s
monthly budget.
So where can a homeowner look to cut
back?
When thinking of a smart home, some
people might just think of cool, connected
gadgets that make life easier or more
convenient. However, many smart-home
solutions are becoming part of sustainable
living, and they can save you money
along the way.
Here are four ways you can introduce
smart-home solutions into your daily life,
reducing the monthly strain of high utility
bills.
Don’t sacrifi ce effi ciency
for comfort - automate
your thermostat
Our homes are our source of comfort
and the temperature of your home should
help you achieve that feeling. However,
heating and cooling can account for nearly
half of a family’s monthly utility budget.
A smart thermostat, like the Honeywell
Home T9 thermostat, can reduce this cost
by tailoring to your temperature preferences
during the day and at night. By adding
smart room sensors to your most popular
rooms, you can deliver the right temperature
to the right room at the right
time. And look for trusted brands that
are ENERGY STAR certifi ed. You’ll be
doing your pocketbook and the environment
a favor.
Sign up for rebates
When a sudden heat wave hits a large
swath of the country, air conditioning systems
in houses, apartments, hospitals and
offi ce buildings all crank on at once, and
utility companies go into overdrive trying
to meet their clients’ increased energy
demands.
Th is kind of short-term increased
demand puts a strain on our electric grid
and can even become a public safety hazard
if overloaded systems crash just when
consumers most need to cool their indoor
environments. To prevent this from happening,
utility companies implement a
variety of voluntary energy saving programs
(known in the industry as demand
response, or DR) that incentivize consumers
to reduce their energy use during periods
of peak demand.
Many utility companies off er consumers
a rebate for joining energy savings
programs that connect to smart thermostats.
You can search for rebates at
Resideo.com/rebates.
Light up the room, but
only when you’re in it
Parents can oft en tell the exact path
their children have taken based on what
lights have been left on throughout the
house. Turning off lights is an easy thing
to forget, even as adults. We’ve all accidentally
left that closet light or bedroom lamp
on all day. Consider installing automated
and motion-activated lighting solutions.
With easy DIY installation, a weekend
lighting project can give you longterm
energy savings. Interested to know
how much energy and cost are associated
with running various home appliances?
Check out this energy calculator from
Energy.gov.
Get to know your water usage
Most of us don’t think twice when
turning on the faucet, fl ushing the toilet
or running a warm bath, which takes
energy to heat. Water is our planet’s most
precious resource, but it’s something we
take for granted because it’s available at
the turn of a tap. Monitoring and being
aware of your water footprint can help
reduce your monthly bill, while reducing
strain on water supplies. For example,
your money goes down the drain
when dishes are washed by hand - using
up to 27 gallons per load - instead of
using an ENERGY STAR certifi ed dishwasher
that can use as little as three gallons
per load.
Smart washing machines can help
you optimize your laundry preferences
- and can fi nd the right wash cycle
and water-temperature preferences suitable
for that load.
Resideo’s Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze
Detector can alert you and your smartphone
if it detects a possible water leak.
Are you feeling like you want to start
improving your home’s effi ciency, but
don’t know how to begin? Summer is a
great time to start, and HVAC contractors
and security dealers are considered essential
businesses during the coronavirus in
many states. Most credible professionals
have adjusted the protocols when interacting
with homeowners as well.
Contact a professional that can recommend
effi cient whole-home solutions
to help optimize your home’s water and
energy resources.
— BPT
/WWWo.QNS.COm
/rebates
/Energy.gov
