Few years back, installing energy-friendly gadgets at home was considered an expensive privilege only a few could afford. But today any individual who is environment conscious and doesn't want to sacrifice the allure of cutting-edge technology by going green is fortunate to get access to millions of green products created by Tech manufacturers.
From controlling lights at home through a mobile app to other smart appliances that cut down on energy use and costs, there are myriad high-tech options on the market that make the home more sustainable.
"According to our research, energy is the third biggest factor that goes into buying things, behind product features and price," says Tim Doyle, spokesperson for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). "Sustainable products for the home have become a huge growth area in the tech industry, and many companies are starting to offer new innovative products to help households cut back on costs."
According to a 2011 survey, the CEA about 60% of the 1,250 adults surveyed said they were concerned about their electric bill costs and 64% are still not aware of all of their options regarding energy management.
Here are some of the hottest tech gadgets for your home that can help you save big on energy
All in one, High-tech Thermostats
When you are talking about smart thermostats, one brand that stands out in terms of design and cutting down on home energy use and heating and cooling costs is none other than the Nest Learning Thermostat from Nest Labs — which comes from the designers of the iPod. The gadget adjusts your home's temperature based on your own lifestyle and schedule. Like the iPod, the thermostat is sleek and modern — its stainless steel body makes itself for a decor.
With the in-built high-tech sensors, cloud computing and algorithms, the Nest learns your temperature preferences and creates a climate schedule for you so that your home will be warmer when it's snowing and cooler during a heat wave. The thermostat can be accessed while on the go and controlled via a computer or app.
Although the Nest is priced at $249, the device can help to reduce the average U.S. energy bill of $1,000 each year by up to 30%, slowly paying for itself over time.
"The Nest Learning Thermostat clearly hit a nerve when we launched in October, selling out in just three days," says Tony Fadell, founder and CEO of Nest Labs. "People are fed up with their old thermostats and want an easy-to-use solution for controlling home heating and cooling, which makes up half of home energy. In one case, a user saved $100 in one month alone by setting back the temperature when people were asleep or away from home."
Along with Nest, a new product called eversense by Allure Energy uses GPS technology via an app for iOS and Android devices to determine when you are out of the house. It also knows when you're headed back home, so the device can modify the temperature in anticipation of your arrival.
Energy and cost saving appliances
When it comes to installing smart appliances at your home, LG tops the list. The electronics giant has unveiled an entire line of smart home devices — be it a refrigerator that keeps track of your diet or an ultra-fast, eco-friendly washing machine that fits more clothes in fewer loads launched at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. The device addresses problems via accessing the Internet. If an issue should surface, such as a water input issue, the Wi-Fi Smart Diagnosis will quickly troubleshoot it saving costs on in-home service visits.
The Company also introduced the Styler at the 2013 CES that uses a combination of technologies including steam to help reduce wrinkles and odors on clothing. But one of the most recent and talked about announcements from LG was about developing a waterless washing machine.
The Korean manufacturer is also looking at an ecological re-imagining of the refrigerator, with a prototype that can keep itself cool for six hours without any power assistance.
Green Power Adapters
Energy saving devices doesn’t always require big and expensive installations. There are many affordable ways to help cut back your bills. For example, according to the CEA, consumer electronics account for 13% of home energy use and can cost up to $191 each year by just charging and powering up the electronic devices.
Green Plug — a major player in the AC/DC power adapter industry — is one of the best solutions to give devices the exact amount of power they need saving energy and costs. Called a "digital handshake" between the device and the power supply, the supply automatically cuts off after the device’s need of power has been met.
Automated Home Lighting
Customers have already switched to LED lighting in order to cut back on energy usage and costs but they are now taking it a step further by controlling energy-efficient lighting from anywhere with custom-made hardware from anywhere.
"Instead of leaving a light on at home while on vacation, more people are programming various lights around the house to dim and go on at certain times to make it look like they are home," says Matthew Carnes, owner of Carnes Audio. "Even more, people are installing hardware that connects to the lighting system that can be controlled through apps."
Carnes Audio installs lighting systems that can be controlled via smartphone, and it costs about $180 for each light switch.
"We are receiving many calls from people wanting home automation that can be controlled via an app," says Carnes. "The interest started from those with million-dollar homes, and as the price became more reasonable, we are now installing the hardware is all different types of locations. It used to be a luxury, and now it's just a good strategy."
Expect to see energy manufacturers offer their own apps in the future, once the price drops even more.
"It's only a matter of time before more people use home automation technology to control lighting and even water, including the sprinkler system," Carnes adds. "You don't need to water your lawn when it's already raining. Technology helps cut back on unnecessary energy use and costs."
Sustainable Smart Town
In order to fulfill the people’s wish to have a self-sustaining smart home; Panasonic has been introducing eco-friendly products all these years. Now the company is planning to build a sustainable smart town in Japan by 2014, consisting of more than 1,000 homes on 47 acres, according to a report by Popular Science. Not only will the community feature solar-panel technology on roofs and encourage electric vehicles, but the interior will also boast a lithium-ion storage battery that can store enough electricity to power a home for a week.
You don't have to live in Japan though; there are several affordable technologies you could work into the development of your home. In addition to using LED lighting and installing home automation to control energy use, insular siding and walls provides ventilation from beneath the house, which means that heating and cooling platforms don't have to consume more energy during heat waves and snow storms.