Most homeowners don’t think of the words “energy savings” and “Internet” in the same breath, but you might be surprised at how many ways you can tap into your home’s Consolidated Communications Internet or WiFi service to save energy and reduce your home heating and electric bills.
1. Use a smart thermostat to control heating and cooling costs.
Programmable thermostats like Nest were one of the first examples of smart technology for the home and remain popular today. Worldwide, consumers and businesses spent $1.63 billion total on these devices in 2018.
If you haven’t already jumped on the smart thermostat trend, now’s the time. You can program the thermostat to adjust the temperature based on the time of day and day of the week. Even better, you can adjust it on the fly through your smartphone over your Consolidated Communications WiFi connection or by using your phone’s 4G/LTE connection.
2. Use a smart speaker to control your smart appliances.
The great thing about creating a smart home is you can do it a la carte, purchasing a few appliances, lights, or even electric outlets that turn ordinary devices into smart ones.
Many people start with a handful of appliances and possibly a voice-activated smart speaker like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, connected to their home’s WiFi, to easily control electronics, lights, and smart appliances.
Remember the days of yelling at your kids to turn off the lights or television when they leave the room, and then finally just turning them off yourself? (Or maybe you remember your parents doing it to you!) It’s so much easier to reduce your electric bill and conserve energy when you can tell your home AI assistant to turn off the lights for you. Your kids might be so enamored with the smart speaker that they will want to turn off the lights by voice command on their own!
3. Upgrade your home’s insulation.
If you want the most bang for your buck when it comes to reducing heating and cooling costs, upgrade the insulation in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says Americans can save as much as 15 percent on their heating and cooling costs (a total of 11 percent off their energy bills) by adding insulation in the basement and attic and by sealing the doors and windows in their home.
Best of all, upgrading insulation can be a do-it-yourself weekend project. Not sure how to start? Log on to the web with your Consolidated Communications Internet service and search YouTube for instructional videos.
Rather hire a pro to do it? Google “Attic insulation near me,” and check sites like Yelp or Angie’s List to read customer reviews of contractors near you.
4. Go solar.
Solar panels can help you save as much as $1,000 a year or more on your electric bills, according to a chart published by Energy Sage. Because the price of electricity continues to rise, you could save even more over time with solar power.
When you upgrade to clean, efficient solar energy, you can use an app on your smartphone to monitor your home’s energy usage. You’ll be able to see when you’re using free energy generated by the sun and when you’re feeding your solar energy back into the grid, which means the electric company is crediting your electric bill.
5. Upgrade older appliances to energy-efficient models.
Upgrading your appliances to certified EnergyStar models can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the appliance. You’ll see tremendous cost savings by upgrading refrigerators, washers, and dryers, just to name a few.
Also, look at your computers and televisions to see if they could use an upgrade. (Helpful tip: If you’re trying to enjoy the latest shows on a 720p plasma screen, it’s probably time to upgrade.) Not only are newer models more energy efficient, but also the picture from your Consolidated Communications Cable TV connection will look even better on a new 4K UHD TV.
Small Steps Make a Big Difference
It’s a great time to look at your home’s carbon footprint and implement some of these energy-saving tips. Even if you aren’t ready to invest in solar or create a fully automated smart home right now, small steps can make a big difference in reducing your electric bills and living more sustainably.