To say that we are in the era of energy efficiency would be a gross understatement. It’s something that’s seemingly in every direction that we turn to – and it’s certainly not going away.
Over the years we have seen plenty of advancements in this field. Initially, it might have started with switching your light bulbs. Now, it’s developed immensely – with technology at the forefront of the situation.
To highlight the point in-detail, let’s now take a look at some of the ways you can really make a difference to the energy efficiency of your home by tapping into technology.
Replace any old appliances
This first step is as simple as it comes, but you might be surprised at just how much energy old appliances consume. If you’re looking for verification, try analyzing your energy usage through a Kamstrup device before and after you have changed the equipment. The difference is immense – particularly if you opt for one of the Energy Star products (or the A+ ones, depending on where in the world you are located).
Of course, there is still a bit of a payback period to think about, and you’re not going to see the product pay for itself in the first year. Over time it will do, several times over, and this is the main message to take out of a lot of green technologies anyway.
A word on boilers
Some people might classify boilers in the same bracket as what the previous section covered, but officially this isn’t the case. Boilers tend to be treated with a different rating system. This is somewhat understandable when you consider the fact that they are responsible for over half of the typical energy bill.
Nowadays, the suggestion isn’t to just buy an A-grade boiler, but to purchase one which has smart capabilities. As everyone knows, we’re well and truly in the era of being smart with technology, and some boilers are able to be managed remotely or even be triggered following movement in the home. It’s this sort of technology which is really next-level stuff in the industry and if you are serious about making a dent on your energy bill, this should be the way forward.
Don’t underestimate the power of solar panels
It would be fair to say that solar panels have been in the public eye for a few years now. There are absolutely hordes of companies who are offering installation of this technology and while it is immensely profitable for them, don’t let this put you off.
Solar panels are a proven technology and studies have shown that they can cover as much as 75% of the energy needed to power your house. This means that your bill is going to be cut significantly.
As well as the above, you can take advantage of solar panels in a different way. In some areas of the world, it’s possible to sell any excess energy your home has generated back to the electricity grid. If your home receives a particularly large amount of sun, this can result in a decent payment come the end of the year.