WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 11, 2021 15
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.
The 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 SACRIFICE
EFFICIENCY 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.
This 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 offer
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 motionactivated
lighting solutions. With easy
DIY installation, a weekend lighting
project can give you long-term 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, flushing 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
certified dishwasher that can use as
little as three gallons per load.
Smart washing machines can help
you optimize your laundry preferences
- and can find 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 efficiency,
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 efficient whole-home solutions
to help optimize your home’s
water and energy resources.
— Courtesy of BPT
AT HOME
Four ways a smart home can save you money
/WWW.QNS.COM
/rebates
/Energy.gov
