Automating your home with smart devices and appliances can help you save on energy costs. And, best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! 

We’ve created a practical guide to help you figure out just how much you might save and to help answer the question of whether a smart home is worth it to you.

 

How can home automation help me save?

 

Now that we know that automating your home can help you save money, you may be wondering just how much you might save. The savings you get from smart home automation will vary for each home, but we’ve broken down some of the most popular smart home device categories.

  • Climate control

  • Appliances and electronics

  • Windows, shades and blinds

  • Electricity and energy management

  • Water management

 

How much can you save with a smart thermostat?

 

A smart thermostat makes it easy to schedule your heating and cooling from virtually anywhere. No need to worry about if you accidentally left the air conditioning on when you left for work or vacation, you can just check the integrated app and adjust the temperature accordingly.

As you use less heating and cooling when you’re away from home, you may start to see the savings pretty quickly. An Energy Star smart thermostat can help you save up to 8%, which averages about $50 per year.

Four popular uses for using climate control in your home

  • Set a smart thermostat to turn off at a specific time every day, like when you’re going to work, and turn it back on before you get home, so it’s always the perfect temperature.

  • Monitor the temperature outside your home so if it’s going to be extremely hot or cold, you’ll know.

  • Track your heating and cooling usage and create a customized plan. Many smart thermostats also offer tips or even an automated system that tracks this information and automatically applies it to your home.

 

Can smart appliances and electronics help you save energy?

 

Smart appliances can be added to many different rooms in your home to make it more comfortable.

Consider adding a smart washing machine or dryer to your laundry room or a smart coffee maker, refrigerator or oven to your kitchen to help streamline daily tasks while also helping you save.

An energy-efficient washing machine can use up to 35% less water and 25% less energy than regular washers, while Energy Star-certified dryers with heat pumps can help you save as much as 60% more than traditional dryers.

 

Windows, shades and blinds

 

Smart windows, shades and blinds can sometimes be programmed to open and close depending on the time of day, weather, temperature and if it’s sunset or sunrise. 

This type of automation can help you keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Traditional energy-efficient window coverings can help reduce summer heat gain up to 77%, so if you add a smart element to your windows, you may save even more. 

Four ways to use smart windows, shades or blinds:

  • When you’re away on vacation, adjust your blinds so it looks like someone is home.

  • Program smart shades to open several hours a day to keep your plants healthy.

  • Keep shades open in the winter to allow the sun in and shut them when the weather calls for rain.

  • Add voice automation and close the blinds whenever you’re about to watch the television.

 

How can you save with smart lighting?

 

Energy-efficient lighting can help you save around 15% or about $225. Smart bulbs are usually LED bulbs, so they use as much as 90% less energy than other bulbs and last 25x longer.

Did you know that many of your large electronics continue to drain electricity just by being plugged into an outlet? Your TV, computer or gaming consoles are common energy drainers. This standby power accounts for 5 to 10% of your energy use, which can add up to $100 per year for some people.

Five ways to use smart lights and plugs:

  • Use smart power strips or switches to turn off these power-draining devices remotely.

  • Adjust lights so they automatically turn off if motion isn’t detected for 10 minutes.

  • Use a smart dimming plug to lower lights during the day or when you’re watching television.

  • Change the color of your smart lights depending on your mood, weather or to remind you of important tasks.

Outdoor motion-sensing floodlights can turn on when someone walks by or automatically program lights to turn on and off depending on the time of day.

When choosing energy-efficient bulbs, it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for bulbs with an Energy Star Rating. This rating indicates that it meets federal guidelines for energy efficiency.

 

How can you use water management devices to save water?

 

Add a smart sprinkler system, shower, smart faucets or flood detector to your home to help you save money and manage your water consumption. A clock-controlled irrigation system can use up to 50% more water, which makes a smart system.

You’ll use less water, see real-time data and get alerts sent straight to your smartphone if your system catches an error.

  • Use a touchless smart faucet to wash dirty hands without cross-contaminating the handle.

  • Flood detectors or water leak sensors let you know when water is detected, helping you catch a leak before it’s too late.

  • A smart sprinkler system can create a customized water plan based on the temperature, soil moisture and climate and give the correct amount of water to reduce wasted water.

  • Real-time data makes it easy to find out exactly how much water you’re using wherever you are.

ADT’s smart home hub makes it easy to connect your smart devices to your security system. 

Receive real-time alerts or notifications and speak to one of our dedicated professionals with 24/7 professional monitoring services that help give you peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Home Installation

What is the average cost to rewire an entire house?

If you’re looking to upgrade your home with smart home automation, there’s a chance you’ll need to update the wiring.

When an electrician is pricing out your home for an entire re-wiring, they will often price it per square foot, which could be between $2 to $4. For a home that is 1,200 square feet, expect to pay between $2,000 to $4,500 [Source]

How much does it cost to rewire an electrical panel?

Expect to pay an electrician anywhere from $850 to $1,600 for an electrical panel, depending on the amps you need, or $1,200 to $2,500 if you need an entirely new box.

These panels will usually need replacing every 25 to 40 years, so it’s possible it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how long you’ve had yours.

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