Is your home ready to power through the summer and keep you and your family cool? Luckily, several automated solutions can help your home’s energy systems reduce your energy bills through careful management. All you need is Wi-Fi, a mobile device, and an app to control these solutions to keep your home’s temperature at your fingertips. Our team at ABF Security brings you six smart suggestions to manage your energy systems as we enter the summer solstice.

Smart Ceiling Fan

On days with lingering heat, your ceiling fan is the easiest way to dissipate the stifling warmth! Smart ceiling fans take their capacity a step further by allowing your thermostat to be set 4 degrees higher than your ideal temperature without sacrificing your comfort. Some fans come with motion sensors and will automatically run whenever anyone enters the room, while others can adjust their speed based on their humidity and temperature sensors. Because they integrate with your thermostat and can be controlled via mobile device, you can adjust any of these settings so your house is at a comfortable temperature even on the hottest days.

Smart Thermostat

Our number one recommended upgrade to your home is a smart thermostat due to its compatibility with the rest of your home’s automated solutions. Smart thermostats are readily available and do most of the work in creating a comfortable home environment. Do you want to set cooler temperatures during the day while the sun is out and transition it a degree or two higher as the night falls? Some smart thermostats can even automatically self-regulate their temperature based on the weather forecast. Furthermore, you can set your smart thermostat to energy-saving mode when your family is out of the house for work or school.

Automated Window Shades

Everyone loves to fill their home with natural light, but there can be drawbacks. Your home can experience a rise of 20°F with sunlight coming through your windows, forcing your AC to work twice as hard to cool your home. Automated window shades are the perfect solution to block sunlight and minimize heat intensity during the sunniest parts of the day, and it can all be done by your phone so you won’t have to leave your couch or desk. When these shades are integrated with your smart thermostat, the shades can close when external temperatures rise above a certain point to keep your home in a comfortable zone. Now you can enjoy the morning light and the beauty of changing colors outside your window.

Smart LED Light Bulbs

Did you know that only 10% of the energy from a traditional incandescent bulb is light? The other 90% of the energy is wasted as heat. If you own these kinds of bulbs in your house, you may struggle to stay cool during warm days, especially since these bulbs require a lot of energy and money to operate. A simple swap is all you need. Try an LED lightbulb, which is cooler than incandescent and fluorescent lights. An incandescent halogen bulb can be as scorching as 327°F, while a Philips Par38 CF1 operates at 167°F. The coolest option is a Cree LED downlight, which runs around 107°F. Once you think about how this heat is multiplied by all the lights in your home, you may begin to understand why your home feels so hot when all the lights are on. Leave the warmth to your heating systems instead!

Smart Power Strip

Most electronic appliances emit a large amount of heat when they’re plugged into an outlet, even if they’re technically turned off. Maybe you’ve noticed certain rooms with entertainment or computer systems feel warmer than other rooms; your devices are the culprit. Although more warmth is welcomed in cooler weather, it’s no secret that extra warmth is undesirable in the summer months. Besides, these running devices are eating into your wallet as well. Unfortunately, unplugging these devices is the only way to cut their energy emissions… unless you have a Smart Power Strip in your home. Once registered on your Wi-Fi network, your smart power strip can be controlled via a mobile app to “unplug” particular components. You can also set up particular times for specific strips or components to turn on and off, which can help enforce boundaries with entertainment and work devices while lowering your indoor heat.

Energy Efficient Appliances

Refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, dishwashers, and other household appliances are all sources of waste heat, raising the temperature inside your home. Energy-efficient appliances can reduce energy usage by 30% and electric bills by $200. When choosing these appliances for your home, look for the ENERGY STAR® label, the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, which helps us all save money and protect the environment through efficient products and practices.

Summer and hot temps are here and it’s time to explore energy management solutions that will help your home and family. Whether you’re excited to get a smart thermostat installed or feeling confused about the full benefits of a smart ceiling fan, our team of professionals at ABF Security will help you create a comfortable home ready for any kind of weather.