Climate change is one of the greatest threats humanity is facing today. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil to generate electricity increases the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Homes that use energy from fossil fuels are responsible for a significant chunk of greenhouse emissions. Using less power in our homes can reduce CO2 emissions and do our part in the fight against climate change.
Energy efficiency harnesses technology to help avoid or reduce energy waste, a key element in the fight against climate change. Governments across the world recognize the value of reducing household energy use. As a result, they use policies, laws, and incentives to encourage energy efficiency at home. And one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to turn it into a smart home.
What’s a smart home?
The proliferation of smart home technology around the world has been nothing short of extraordinary. A smart home refers to a convenient home setup where devices and appliances are connected and controlled remotely through one central point, such as a smartphone. Smart homes use smart devices to make life easier and more convenient for households.
A smart home device refers to any electronic device that can be connected to your smart home system, interact with other devices, and can make some decisions on its own. Owning a smart home device is part of a growing trend towards transforming regular UK dwellings into smart homes. According to YouGov, 23% of consumers in the UK own at least one smart home device.
Benefits of a smart home: energy efficiency
In addition to convenience and comfort, smart home devices can also make your home more energy-efficient. Smart home technology is designed to reduce your home’s energy use and energy-related bills. So how exactly does smart home technology help you become more energy efficient? For starters, a smart home provides insights into your home’s energy consumption and helps you become more mindful of ecological factors.
A smart home can pinpoint areas where you consume more energy than you need to, allowing you to cut consumption in those areas and reduce your utility bills. Smart home technology also gives you greater control of your energy use while automating tasks such as switching the lights on and off and adjusting the temperature. And even when they are not energy efficient, smart home devices can be utilized in ways that help homeowners conserve energy.
Smart home trends & latest products
UK homeowners are becoming more comfortable with smart home technologies, and soon smart homes will become the standard expectation. Smart home technology is constantly evolving, creating new ways of making our lives easier, more convenient, and efficient. But, unfortunately, many of us can’t keep up. Below, we look at some of the smart home trends and products that will shape 2021.
Smart appliances for easy, energy-efficient living
Smart home appliances have smart features that make your life more comfortable and help you save time and money. Smart refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, etc., are not a new phenomenon. However, UK homeowners are warming up to the idea of smart home appliances due to their energy-saving benefits, and 2021 is expected to be a huge year for these devices.
Easy-to-install smart thermostats
Smart thermostats are some of the most popular smart home devices, mainly because they are easy to install. There are numerous benefits to installing a smart thermostat in your home. For instance, a smart thermostat can adjust the temperature in your home according to your behaviours and routines, helping you save money on heating and cooling in the process.
Smart speakers to control your home by voice
Smart speakers are one of the biggest smart home trends in 2021. These devices allow you to control various aspects of your home just by speaking. Popular smart speakers setups include, among others, Apple’s HomePod, Google Assistant (Google Home), and Amazon’s Alexa. For example, you can turn the lights on/off with a smart speaker, control your thermostat, etc., remotely by voice command.
Using A VPN for privacy
Privacy is a significant pain point in smart home ecosystems. Adept hackers can gain access to connected appliances, which puts the privacy of homeowners at risk. As a result, many homeowners turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to mitigate the privacy risks associated with smart homes. A VPN for a router will encrypt the internet traffic of your smart devices, making it harder for malicious actors to trace these devices back to you.
The energy-saving benefits of smart home technology are one reason for the growing popularity of smart homes. While smart home technologies offer convenience and cost savings, they do have their downsides.
Privacy is a significant concern for homeowners. However, privacy risk can easily be mitigated with a VPN and common-sense security precautions such as strong passwords, encryption, and avoiding untrusted Wi-Fi networks.