When it was first introduced to the world, smart home technology felt like a gimmick of sorts. The idea of being able to control different parts of your home through an app or via voice commands was intriguing, yet hardly revolutionary. Much of the smart home tech being developed today continues to follow the route of interesting, yet not something that changes lives. Having a biometric smart lock on your front door is cool – but what does this actually contribute to wider society?
There is, however, one area in which smart technology can excel: energy efficiency.
Even the earliest examples of smart home technology played a sizeable role in improving energy efficiency throughout the home. Something as simple as the ability to dim your lights from an app or turn off the central heating system when you forgot to do so before leaving for work can save energy.
When you take a closer look at modern smart home technology, you begin to see patterns that point to it being one of the leaders in energy efficiency. It presents this hypothesis: Is smart home technology the secret to a more efficient future? Current and future trends certainly seem to indicate that this could be the case.
The Rise Of Smart Solar Systems
Smart solar systems headline this new wave of smart technology that focuses on better energy efficiency. A licensed and approved commercial and residential solar installer can equip any property with this type of solar system. While a traditional solar installation will involve panels on a roof that absorb solar energy and convert it to electricity, smarter systems involve the following:
– Solar energy storage in batteries
– Smart inverters for more efficiency energy conversion
– Direct connectivity to the grid to sell surplus solar energy
– Direct connectivity to smart home systems
It’s this new idea that a solar system is no longer a separate entity and instead becomes a core part of your smart home. Full integration allows the solar system to generate information from different appliances – or perform the simple act of directing solar power to different parts of the home.
Additionally, and perhaps most critically, smart solar systems involve solar battery storage. Previous solar installation iterations would generate electricity when the sun was out, rendering them useless in the evening. The inclusion of solar batteries means a system can cleverly generate and store electricity for later use. This can be as a backup electricity option in case of emergencies, or an evening solution for cleaner energy during peak times .
Imagine storing loads of energy in a battery during the day, while you’re at work, and then powering your home with it in the evening. Other households are paying premium electricity prices during this time, but you’re either 100% solar or supplementing a large chunk with solar energy. Either way, it’s far more efficient as you reduce your consumption from the grid.
Intelligent HEMS (Home Energy Management Systems)
A home energy management system is an emerging piece of technology that acts as an energy-focused brain for your home. Think smart thermostats and the apps they come with, only more advanced and with a focus on electrical energy.
HEMS will connect everything to a central hub that gives you full control over your property’s energy usage. It usually coincides with a smart solar system, though it will also connect to:
– Electric vehicle chargers
– All of your main appliances
– Lighting
– Smart electrical meters
– The electrical grid itself
Once installed, you see a full overview of your property’s energy usage via a portal or application. From here, you can manually dictate where your electricity goes and manage usage depending on your needs. As an example, you can set things up to avoid sending electricity to your washing machine during peak times because it’s too costly. Instead, you prioritize washing during off-peak hours for better savings.
Perhaps most importantly, smart HEMS have the ability to automate things without you needing to do anything. They use artificial intelligence and data analytics to call upon real-time information and track your energy needs. Based on the data it collects, your HEMS can create daily energy patterns that lead to optimal energy efficiency by cutting off your dependence on the grid when it’s not necessary and finding ways to maximize solar usage.
It’s like you’ve got your own energy manager who can spot ways for you to save energy here and there. Plus, the integration with a smart solar system means the HEMS can find the ideal times to sell solar energy back to the grid . It becomes a case of only using grid electricity during off-peak hours and then selling solar during peak hours.
The Connection Between EVs & Home Energy
Electric vehicles were once touted as the answer to lowering carbon emissions by removing gas vehicles from the road. In more recent times, car manufacturers have started looking at alternative fuels and other solutions instead of EVs. It makes people wonder if EVs are still the future – but their connection to smart home technology could be a saving grace.
Smart tech has evolved to the point where electric vehicles have more integration with a home than ever before. Instead of simply plugging a car in to charge it, you now unlock more capabilities, such as:
– Optimizing EV charging with solar energy
– Assigning energy to EVs during off-peak hours
– Utilizing the concept of two-way charging
That final point is the most intriguing from an energy-efficiency standpoint. There could be days when an EV sits on the driveaway or garage without being driven. Two-way charging allows your home to take energy from the car’s battery and use it as a cleaner energy source. Then, at night, the EV can recharge slowly and be ready for use in the morning. It’s a fascinating concept that needs a bit of refining, but the idea lets you use an EV as an additional storage battery for the home.
So, to answer the question, is smart home technology the secret to better energy efficiency? It’s a resounding yes. This sector of technology is extremely component and diverse, allowing for many ways to maximize energy savings and lower energy consumption. With that in mind it has the power to do great things for the planet.
