New Zealand is leading the charge towards a more sustainable future, and here at EAV, we’re helping Kiwis do their part. Smart home technology plays a critical role in promoting energy efficiency and eco-friendly living. In this guide, we’re outlining all the ways that smart home technology contributes to an eco-friendly lifestyle so Kiwis can indulge in a modern living space, while maintaining a clean conscience.
How Smart Home Devices Optimise Energy Use?
Achieving a tech-savvy home while being a clean Kiwi might seem too good to be true, but Smart Home Devices aid in doing just that. Studies show that smart homes can reduce overall energy consumption by an impressive 30%.
Let’s put that into perspective. The average New Zealand household spends approximately NZD 2,200 per year on electricity. So, a 30% reduction doesn’t just cut down on carbon emissions, it leads to savings of about NZD 660 per year. This could mean enjoying a daily coffee or a monthly family outing, without the guilt of splurging.
So, how do smart home devices save all this energy and money? The short answer is: they adapt to your habits. Smart home devices will automate and control various home systems, ensuring that energy is used only when necessary. For instance, a smart thermostat can learn your daily routine and adjust the temperature accordingly, reducing heating and cooling when the house is empty and ensuring comfort when you're home.
Breaking Down The Benefits
Two of our most popular smart home additions are thermostats and lighting systems. We’ve looked into the benefits of both and think you’ll be impressed with how these innovative solutions can transform your home into an energy-efficient sanctuary.
Smart Thermostats
- Energy Savings: Smart thermostats can save users between 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling costs annually. They achieve this by learning your schedule and preferences, adjusting temperatures when you’re away, and optimising energy use without compromising comfort.
- Remote Access and Control: With a smart thermostat, you can control your home's temperature from anywhere using your smartphone. This means after a long day of work you don’t need to freeze waiting for your house to warm up, you can set it to your ideal temperature advance.
- Integration with Other Smart Devices: Many smart thermostats integrate with other smart home devices to create a seamless and automated home environment. For example, they can work with smart blinds to adjust settings based on the time of day and weather conditions.
Smart Lighting Systems
- Energy Efficiency: Smart lighting systems significantly reduce energy consumption. Automated scheduling ensures lights are only on when needed, while motion sensors turn lights off when rooms are unoccupied.
- Convenience and Control: similar to the benefits of smart thermostats, you can control your lighting from anywhere using a smartphone app. Forgot to turn your lights off? No need to rush home, you only need to press a button.
- Enhanced Security: A smart lighting system offers more than just environmental benefits, it provides peace of mind. When integrated into security systems, smart lighting can deter intruders by simulating occupancy when you’re not home.
Home Energy Monitoring and Management
At EAV our job extends beyond simple installation. We’re here throughout your entire smart home journey and want to ensure you stay informed and proactive when it comes to your energy usage. We aid homeowners in doing this through our comprehensive range of smart home energy management systems which are designed to provide real-time insights into your consumption.
Monitoring energy usage is crucial because it helps homeowners understand where their energy is going and how it can be used more efficiently. For example, if your energy bill is looking unusually high, our smart systems will give you a detail report and pinpoint problems. This means you’ll find out if certain appliances are consuming more power than necessary or that energy use spikes at specific times of the day.
Our systems do all of the complicated work so all you need to do is review your energy reports and make adjustments based on the insights provided. Simple changes, such as unplugging devices that are not in use, setting appliances to energy-saving modes, and using smart plugs to control power flow, can lead to significant savings.
Smart Home Compatibility
With our smart home systems, the possibilities become truly endless. While the team at EAV maintains the electrical aspect, we can make sure your smart home system remains compatible with appliances and renewable energy sources. This means down the line, you can personalise your home to suit your specific needs.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances, such as smart fridges, washing machines, and dishwashers, are game-changers when it comes to optimising energy. For example, smart fridges monitor their contents to optimise cooling cycles, reducing unnecessary energy use. Similarly, smart washing machines and dishwashers adjust water and energy usage based on load size and fabric type, ensuring maximum efficiency without compromising on performance.
Renewable Energy
To truly reap the eco-friendly benefits of your smart home system you can integrate it with
renewable energy sources. Smart home systems can synchronise with renewable energy setups such as solar panels in order to regulate and prioritise the use of clean energy. This allows homes to maximise the use of solar power during peak production times and store excess energy for later use.
The Big Picture
We encourage our clients to think big. Imagine a future where every Kiwi home is a smart home, seamlessly integrating technology and reducing energy consumption on a massive scale. This vision is becoming a reality, and the long-term environmental benefits are profound. By integrating a smart system into your home, you don’t only reap individual benefits; you join a collective movement towards making New Zealand more sustainable and liveable.
By aligning with global sustainability initiatives, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our smart home technology can contribute to broader environmental objectives.
Take this Modern Eco Home in Castor Bay, for example. This stunning home, equipped with EAV's smart home solutions, showcases how smart technology can transform living spaces into an eco-conscious haven. By using smart lighting and adjusting your system to suit the materials of the house, we’ve helped this family gain convenience without compromising their values.
Conclusion
Ready to transform your home into an energy-efficient, eco-friendly haven? All you need to do is reach out and we’ll take it from there. From smart lighting to smart speakers, we pride ourselves on our variety of sustainable services and customised solutions. Partner with EAV today and discover how easy it is to make your home smarter and greener.
