{"id":48930,"date":"2024-01-19T13:34:11","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T13:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techolac.com\/?p=48930"},"modified":"2024-01-19T13:34:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T13:34:11","slug":"4-tech-upgrades-for-a-more-energy-efficient-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techolac.com\/home-improvement\/4-tech-upgrades-for-a-more-energy-efficient-home\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tech Upgrades for a More Energy-Efficient Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

As winter sets in and the temperature plummets, gas and electricity bills tend to rise. Between darker, longer nights and the chilly air, your home needs a lot of power to stay bright and warm for you. Thankfully, there are lots of tech upgrades that can help keep your home nice and comfy while reducing your utility bill. Read on to learn about four upgrades, some large, some small, that will boost your home\u2019s energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

1. Smart Thermostat<\/h2>\n

When coming home from work, there\u2019s nothing quite like walking out of the frigid winter air into a welcoming wave of warmth inside. However, it takes a lot of energy to keep your house toasty all day, and it\u2019s hurting your wallet. Rather than spend on heating your place when you\u2019re not there, invest in a smart thermostat.<\/p>\n

A smart thermostat is what it sounds like: a Wi-Fi-enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling. By pre-programming your smart thermostat to your desired temperature, your furnace<\/a> will get a break from work while you\u2019re away. Then it will crank up the heat automatically just before you arrive, ensuring your warm welcome.<\/p>\n

Beyond pre-programmed scheduling, smart thermostats also give you insightful data. They\u2019ll track and report on your energy use over time so you can see the value of changes you make to your home. For example, you\u2019ll know for sure whether or not your new insulated windows are actually doing their job. The thermostat software will also get periodic updates to ensure your home is heated by the latest, most precise algorithms. If you\u2019re tired of overspending on home heating, a smart thermostat is an easy pickup that can pay itself back over time.<\/p>\n

2. Solar Panels<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s hard to write a list about energy efficiency tech without reserving a spot for solar panels. Solar panels are able to generate electricity by harnessing sunlight: a virtually limitless renewable resource. Investing in solar will reduce your dependency on fossil fuels, which are subject to price fluctuations \u2014 and bad for the planet.<\/p>\n

Because solar panels generate electricity during the day, they offset your need to draw energy from the grid. This can lead to a significant decrease in your energy bills. Plus, if your solar system produces more energy than your house consumes, you can potentially sell some of the excess to your utility.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, solar can be an expensive investment in the short term. Installations aren\u2019t exactly cheap, and they can take years to pay themselves back. That said, as of early 2024, there are still government grants<\/a> on offer to help homeowners foot the bill. If you live in a fairly sunny area and are committed to your current dwelling, don\u2019t sleep on this incredible technology. Passing up solar is like leaving money on the long-term table.<\/p>\n

3. Low-Flow Showerhead<\/h2>\n

When it comes to home energy consumption, water heating is second only to space heating in the amount of energy used. This means that by using your old wasteful showerhead, you\u2019re effectively washing money down the drain. Standard shower heads use around two and a half gallons of water per minute, with some very old models using up to 10. In contrast, there are low-flow alternatives that use as little as one and a half gallons of water per minute or less.<\/p>\n

The best news? Low-flow alternatives help you save water without actually sacrificing an iota of comfort. There are two main kinds of low-flow showerheads to know about: aerating and laminar. Aerating shower heads mix air with water to create a misty shower spray. Laminar fixtures, on the other hand, work by pressurizing individual streams of water. Both make for a pleasant and efficient showering experience while saving you heated water all the while.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that, while both kinds of low-flow showerheads are effective, the aerating variety tends to create more steam. So the laminar variety may be better for you if humidity is a concern in your home. Either way, these showerheads are an easy upgrade that will help increase your home\u2019s energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

4. Smart Lights<\/h2>\n

These days, it goes without saying that LED bulbs are much more efficient than traditional incandescents. In both business and homes, LEDs have become the new \u2014 federally mandated, in fact \u2014 standard of bulb. However, you can boost their inherent energy efficiency still further by investing in smart LEDs.<\/p>\n

Smart LEDs<\/a> feature everything you know and love about LEDs and take it to the next level. The difference is that smart LEDs bulbs have internal chips that enable you to interface with them through software. This means smart LEDs are connected and programmable, usually controlled through an app. One of the main benefits of this connectivity is that you can program the bulbs to turn on, turn off, and dim on a schedule.<\/p>\n

Does everyone leave the house for work and school by 8 a.m.? Then program every light in the house to turn off at 8:05. Then they\u2019ll come on again by 3 p.m. when the first family members return. Smart LEDs ensure you\u2019ll never come home to discover a rebel light on again, consuming energy unnecessarily.<\/p>\n

A Smart Home for a Smart and Satisfying Life<\/h2>\n

These days, it\u2019s possible for homes to be more energy efficient than they\u2019ve ever been. From smart thermostats to app-controlled lighting, you can have near-total control over your built environment. Not only can modern home tech save you time and money, but it can boost your comfort and satisfaction as well. By making even one of the upgrades on this list, you\u2019ll be closer to a home experience that\u2019s just the way you like it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As winter sets in and the temperature plummets, gas and electricity bills tend to rise. Between darker, longer nights and the chilly air, your home needs a lot of power to stay bright and warm for you. Thankfully, there are lots of tech upgrades that can help keep your home nice and comfy while reducing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4267],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-improvement"],"yoast_head":"\n4 Tech Upgrades for a More Energy-Efficient Home - Techolac<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As winter sets in and the temperature plummets, gas and electricity bills tend to rise. 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