Even if we do not realize it, almost everything we do has an impact on the environment, in either a positive or a negative way. The energy we use in our homes, perhaps especially if we have home offices and are there a lot more of the time, can be detrimental to the planet in general, but there are ways to save energy and protect the environment, as well as saving money at the same time. Here are some exciting pieces of technology that can help you achieve this goal.
Smart Power Strips
Look around your home and see how many electrical items you can spot that are plugged in. These are all using power, even if they are switched off – if you can see a stand-by light glowing, you’re definitely using power. This might be a printer, laptop, DVD player, games consoles, and perhaps most likely your TV. To save energy, you could turn these items off completely, but the problem with this is that when you turn them back on, they can take a while to get started, and you can lose your settings.
The alternative is to use smart power strips. Plug your device into this strip that you plug into your wall socket, and it completely cuts off power when it senses the devices are not being used. Amazingly, this can save you as much as ten percent of your energy bill.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a great alternative to standard energy, and it is so much better for the environment. You can have solar panels attached to the roof of your home that convert sunlight into electricity. In many cases, you can save a lot of money. What puts many people off is that they have to spend a lot of money to start with, and it can take some time before they make that back. However, there are companies with plans for financing, so you don’t have to pay a down payment. This is the most cost-effective way to save energy and protect the environment for future generations.
Energy Monitors
It is possible to buy energy monitors that will give you a much greater understanding of how much energy you are using within your home and where it is being used most. Although the monitor itself won’t automatically reduce your energy consumption and wastage (although this may well be possible in the future), the insights that you will gain will mean you can make better choices and change the way you do things at home in order to save energy, money, and the planet.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
A geothermal heat pump works by collecting heat from the ground and using that heat to keep your house warm. It is a clever, cost-saving way to use heat that already exists to great benefit. What is clever about these pumps is that you can use them to cool the house in the summer, too, simply by utilizing the cooler air outside. If you live in an area that uses heat reflective paint on its sidewalks and roads, this can work even better since the outside temperature will already be cooler.
Technology is evolving at increasing speeds. Make use of tech such as smart power strips, solar energy panels, energy monitors and geothermal heat pumps to save energy (and money) at home.