A smart home system enables homeowners to automate and remotely access home appliances with an internet connection using networked devices. For example, it allows users to control conditioning and heating, monitor home security systems, and program sprinklers over their mobile phones.

Automating home devices comes with a lot of perks. Apart from the remote control of home functions, it helps homeowners manage all their home devices from one place. On top of all, it increases energy efficiency and maximizes home security.

You can improve your green values by using these five ideas to make an eco-friendlier, more secure home.

 

Get Smart Lights

Although automated lighting has already taken over the market because of its convenience and security, many homeowners aren't still up to it. One reason is that the cost of setting up an automated lighting system is quite hefty, depending on its features, setup complexity, and installation.

For example, DIY installation of basic systems can cost around $200 to $400, while professional installments can be between $2,000 to $4,000. In contrast, regular lights cost more or less $20 to $50 per bulb. Additionally, they can be easily installed, so they usually come at no cost.

Despite huge upfront costs, automated lighting systems can save you a lot of money compared to traditional lighting. First, smart lighting has longer longevity. Smart bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, translating to 15 to 25 years. Conversely, standard incandescent bulbs can last only 750 to 2,000 hours or 15 to 25 years.

Second, they use less energy. For example, compared to old-school incandescent light bulbs, smart LED light bulbs are 75% more efficient. Putting them on schedule can also reduce energy usage, helping you save even more.
Moreover, an automated lighting system gives homeowners better deterrence capability. The system's good lighting, entry sensors, and smart monitoring solutions help prevent any would-be intruders and thieves, providing your home with better security.

 

Opt For Smart Thermostats

In an average American home, 50% to 70% of the energy bill accounts for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, ranging from $4,500 to $15,000 or even more. However, with programmable thermostats, homeowners can save 8% to 10% of their heating and cooling bills, roughly $50 per year.

Smart thermostats can also improve your home's safety. Generally, they can detect and alert you of extreme temperatures, smoke and fire, carbon monoxide, HVAC power failures, and extra-long run times. Their early and urgent warnings don't only protect but also ensure comfort in your home and for your family.

 

Use Smart Window Treatment Systems

In addition to directly controlling your home temperature with a smart thermo-controller, you can reduce or even not use energy with smart treatments. They enable you to keep your house warmer in the winter and cooler during the summer.

Smart window treatment systems are equipped with automated timers or sensors that can help decrease the load on your HVAC unit. For example, in winter, they can aid your home's heating by opening the window shades or blinds to let the sun naturally come in during the day and shutting them again as the sun sets to maintain the heat inside.

Not only do smart windows and blinds help save energy, but they can boost home security too. For example, let them operate automatically throughout the daytime through programmable timers to create an illusion of occupancy, which may help reduce the likelihood of break-ins.

 

Insulate Garage Doors

Another way to make your home more energy-efficient is by insulating your garage doors. It prevents cool and hot air from escaping, helping your home's HVAC systems to maintain any temperature easily. By preserving the garage's temperature, you're decreasing the energy required to heat or cool the rest of your home.

To make it eco-friendlier, opt for low-energy or solar-powered insulation options. They're energy-efficient and have longer life spans since they're made of sturdy building materials. Besides using less energy, their durability can also help you save more money on replacement, repair, and maintenance costs.

Insulated garage doors can also help protect your personal belongings and home properties. For example, freezing conditions can lower the air pressure of your car tires and can shorten your car's battery life. Also, extreme heat can change the consistency of your garage's paint, fertilizers, cleaning supplies, and motor oil. At worst, they might become unusable more quickly.

 

Install Smart Home Irrigation

Around 320 gallons of water are used by an average American family daily. 30% of this water usage is dedicated to outdoor uses, whereas more than half of it is used for watering gardens and lawns. However, 50% of this water usage can be wasted due to traditional watering systems.

The good news is that, with smart irrigation systems, every household can reduce total household water use by 15%. One report added that this annual saving of 95,000 liters or two backyard swimming pools per house. This doesn't only save a lot of water on water and energy costs but also helps protect your home from flooding.

 

Can Home Insurance Help?

While it doesn't directly make your home start, homeowners' insurance can help upgrade your home security. It can also help you recover from the financial losses caused by residential theft and burglary.

Specifically, homeowners' insurance provides coverages for:

• House damages costs, such as broken windows or doors caused by a break-in;
• Repair costs for broken properties caused by a break-in and replacement costs for stolen personal belongings; and
• Repair costs for broken detached structures, such as broken shed doors after a break-in.

These coverages are called dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and other structures coverage, respectively. Remember that they can only cover up to a certain amount, usually around 50% to 70%. If you wish to increase the coverage, you may have to change homeowners insurance terms or the policy itself.

 

Final Thoughts

Working with green security and smart home automation companies is also a genuine way to take care of our environment. Many of them use recycled materials, making them more cost-effective and eco-friendlier than their traditional counterparts. They're currently among the trends, so finding them isn't rocket science.