How To Save Money With Smart Home Appliances
Updated September 6, 2024 at 3:03 pm
With the emergence of smart technology, many homeowners are wondering how to save money with smart appliances. Your utilities are a great place to start, as harsh winters and brutal summers can wreak havoc on the power bill. With an energy-efficient design, a smart appliance can cut down on the power you use, saving you money.
Here’s a look at how to save energy with smart appliances and cut down on those utility bills.
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Tapping Into the Money-Saving Potential of Smart Home Appliances
There is certainly something to be said for the convenience of remote control and monitoring, but smart home appliances also give you greater control over your usage, so you are better able to regulate your household’s energy consumption.
Knowing how to save money with smart appliances can dramatically reduce your energy bill and help lower other expenses, such as groceries and supplies like detergent.
The Benefits of Smart Home Appliances
There are many ways that smart technology can improve your daily life.
- Savings: A smart home appliance can significantly reduce how much money you spend on utilities each year. For example, switching to a smart dishwasher can save you up to 9% on your utilities. Even expanding outside smart home appliances can help you save; for example, the best smart thermostats can save you $50 a year on your bill alone.
- Automation: Many smart home appliances allow you to set schedules and control the unit remotely from an app on your phone. This means your unit will not run unnecessarily, saving you on energy and supplies.
- Convenience: Smart home appliances allow you access from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. For example, a smart fridge lets you check how much milk you have at home while you are at the store. While on your phone, you can also run the laundry and set the temperature at home.
- Less Wear and Tear: By automating use, your appliances only run when needed. It cuts down on waste and repair since the unit is not used as often as a traditional model.
The Drawbacks of Smart Home Appliances
Of course, smart home appliances are not perfect. There are a few drawbacks to consider.
- Investment: A smart home appliance may cost more upfront than a traditional model.
- Internet Connection: An internet connection is required for a smart appliance to work properly. Should you lose internet, it will affect your machine’s functionality until the connection is restored.
- Privacy Concerns: Because smart home appliances use an internet connection, that also leaves them vulnerable to hacks and other cyber threats. Viruses could potentially affect your appliance, but preventive measures like built-in encryption and regular Wi-Fi password changes can help you reduce your risk of a virus or bug.
The Best Smart Appliances To Save Money
When determining how to save energy with smart appliances, these are some of the best smart home devices and appliances to help reduce your energy use.
Smart Washing Machine and Dryer
A smart washing machine and dryer can make laundry time much more affordable. These washing machines can use up to 35% less water and 25% less energy than traditional washing machines, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
A smart dryer is also more energy-efficient, using 20% less energy than the traditional model. Over time, these savings can add up, lowering your utility bill and putting more cash in your pocket.
Smart Dishwasher
Similar to a smart washing machine and dryer, a smart dishwasher uses sensors to determine water loads and energy use. It can also regulate the drying process to use less electricity. Using an ENERGY STAR®-rated dishwasher can save you up to 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime while costing only an average of $50 annually to use.
Smart Refrigerators
A smart refrigerator is another smart appliance that can save you money on your utilities. These models often have additional features designed to reduce your carbon footprint, such as special energy-efficient modes, alerts if the door is left open and regular diagnostics to ensure your fridge is running at the optimal level. Temperature controls help food stay fresh longer, and cameras on the interior allow you to view the contents from the store. With less food waste, you can reduce the grocery bill, too.
Smart Light Bulbs
A light bulb may not be an appliance, but it is a type of smart technology that can save you a lot of money. It is all too easy to leave a light on, especially when there are multiple people and children in the home.
LED lights, especially ENERGY STAR®-rated bulbs, use 75% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and last up to 25 times longer so you will not have to purchase replacements quite as often.
Meanwhile, a smart bulb helps ensure no one leaves the light on so you do not waste money on lights no one is using.
Average Savings for Smart Home Appliances
| Smart Appliance | Average Energy Savings |
| Smart Dishwasher | 5% – 9% |
| Smart Washing Machine | 4% – 7% |
| Smart Dryer | 4% – 7% |
| Smart Refrigerator | 2% – 4% |
Work Smarter, Not Harder
The days of power-hungry appliances are over. A smart home can bring new convenience to your home, allowing you to control your smart appliances from anywhere there is an internet connection. It can also help you save money on both supplies and repair while lowering your overall power bill with lower energy consumption.
When deciding how to save money with smart appliances, it is just a matter of which appliances work best for your home. Appliances are just the start, too. From smart home security systems to the best smart outdoor lighting, there are endless options to transform your home into a smart home so you can start saving money while doing your part to lower your carbon footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Smart Appliances Use More Electricity?
Smart appliances are designed to use less electricity, so they are a fantastic option when you are determining how to save energy with smart appliances in your home. Options like smart refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers can all reduce energy usage, especially if they bear the ENERGY STAR® logo.
How Can I Make My Appliances Consume Less Electricity?
Some appliances naturally use less energy, so consider upgrading to a smart model that can reduce energy use and lower your utility bill. Look for models that bear the ENERGY STAR® logo for the most energy-efficient options.
Do Smart Lights Still Use Electricity When Off?
Smart lights are known as vampire devices, meaning that they still use electricity even when turned off. This is so they can maintain an Internet connection, allowing the lights to be turned on at a moment’s notice using Bluetooth direction. Even though smart lights use electricity when turned off, this requires just a small amount of electricity in comparison to traditional devices.
How Much Money Can You Save by Unplugging Appliances?
Appliances still use power even when they are turned off. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average homeowner can save up to $100 per month by unplugging appliances and thus eliminating standby power.
What Happens to Smart Home Appliances When There Is a Power Outage?
If there is a power outage, you will likely lose power to your smart appliances. Many features are dependent on an internet connection, rendering them useless in a power outage. However, some appliances may come with a backup battery to enable use even when there is no power in the home.
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