If a Smart Device it is any device that connects and communicates through the Internet, then a smart home it is a home where such smart devices lead to improvements in everyday life. Of the many reasons to build a house, save money is possibly the most attractive.
But smart devices can Really save money in a practical time frame? In this article, we'll explore the five smart devices that save the most money and how long it will take for each to recoup its initial cost through long-term savings.
Smart thermostats are the most popular and extreme example of how a smart home can actually save you money. It is also one of the fastest devices to recoup initial costs.
Nest, the leading smart thermostat brand right now, conducted two independent studies on real users in 41 US states to see what their energy bills looked like before and after installing the Nest Smart Thermostat. On average, they saved 13 percent on heating and cooling.
Nest Learning Thermostat (T3007ES), Easy Temperature Control for Every Room in Your Home, Stainless Steel (3rd Generation), Works with Nest Learning Thermostat by Nest (T3007ES), Easy Temperature Control for Every Room in Your Home , stainless steel (3rd generation) , Works with Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $180.50
ecobee, Nest's main competitor in the smart thermostat arena, conducted an internal analysis and found that ecobee users saved an average of 23 percent on heating and cooling when using the ecobee3 smart thermostat.
ecobee3 Sensor Thermostat, Wi-Fi, 2nd Generation, Works with Alexa. ecobee3 Sensor Thermostat, Wi-Fi, 2nd Generation, Works with Alexa. Buy Now On Amazon $118.00
According to a 2014 report [PDF] from the US Department of Energy, the average US household spends about $2,200 per year on utilities, about 48 percent of which is for heating and refrigeration:$1,056.
With a 13 percent cost reduction, the Nest would save about $137 per year. At an approximate cost of sale of $245, it would take approximately 43 months to break even . As for the ecobee3 with a 23 percent reduction, the annual savings would amount to $242. With an approximate selling cost of $249, break even in 12 months . (Note that the ecobee3 is more efficient in larger homes.)
So, one to two years. That is incredible! Learn more in our comparison of Nest vs. Thermostats. ecobee Ecobee3 vs. the Nest Thermostat:A Head-to-Head Comparison Ecobee3 vs. the Nest thermostat:a direct comparison Did you know that a smart thermostat can increase the value of your home? It's one of the many reasons why a smart thermostat is worth the initial investment. But which one should you get? Read more . If you decide to go with a Nest, check out our tips and tricks to maximize Nest savings 7 Nest Automation Tricks to Cut Your Heating Bill in Half 7 Nest Automation Tricks to Cut Your Heating Bill in Half If There Was a Thermostat Nest in every home, It would have the largest single impact on energy consumption in history; And it could save you more money than you can imagine. That is how. Read more . Either way, one thing is clear:a smart thermostat should be one of your first smart devices The 6 devices you should install right away in a new smart home The 6 devices you should install right away in a new smart home What are the major devices you need? Being able to turn your home into a 21st century residence? These gadgets are your best place to start. Read more !
According to YardMap, the average American yard is about 0.225 acres. It can be much smaller in urban areas and more than twice that in rural areas, but we'll use this for our calculations.
Proper lawn care involves one inch of water per week for natural grass. The national average cost for one inch of water per one acre yard is $40.75. That works out to about $9.17 a week or $477 a year for the average American lawn. These numbers come from the real estate agency.
The Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller connects to your existing lawn sprinkler system and optimizes your irrigation routine. The manufacturers claim that Rachio can save up to 50 percent on your lawn watering bill! The best possible scenario is an annual savings of $238. With an approximate cost of sale of $179, it could pay for itself in 9 months .
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, 8 Zone 2nd Generation, Works with Amazon Alexa Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, 8 Zone 2nd Generation, Works with Amazon Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $119.49
But let's be realistic. Yes, the rachio turns off when it rains. Yes, it reduces the use of water when it is cold. Yes, it extends the irrigation schedule for maximum soil absorption. Yes, you can control up to 16 zones independently. Even so, you probably won't see a 50 percent savings; if we assume a more conservative 30 percent, the break-even point is about 15 months .
Note: Don't forget that Rachio is one of many smart devices that can really increase the value of your home. Installing These Smart Devices Can Increase The Value Of Your Home Installing These Smart Devices Can Increase The Value Of Your Home In this article, we take a look at what smart technology you should install that will allow you to add those few thousand additional dollars to your selling price. Read more ! If you plan to sell soon, this is something to think about.
LED bulbs can save a lot of money over incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, but is it worth upgrading from regular LED bulbs to smart LED bulbs?
According to the US Energy Information Administration, the national average cost of electricity in the residential sector for July 2017 was $0.1312 per kWh.
From this article, a regular 60W equivalent Philips A19 (8W) LED bulb costs around $1.65, while a 60W (10W) equivalent Philips Hue A19 LED bulb is closer to $15, for a difference of $ 13.35. The regular bulb costs about $0.0010 per hour, while the Hue bulb costs about $0.0013 per hour, for a difference of $0.0003 per hour.
Philips Hue White A19 2-Pack 60W Dimmable Equivalent LED Smart Light Bulb (Compatible with Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant) Philips Hue White A19 2-Pack 60W Dimmable Equivalent LED Smart Light Bulb (Compatible with Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant) Assistant) Buy now on Amazon
It would take about 44,500 hours of use to break even. between a normal LED bulb and a Hue bulb. That's precariously close to the 50,000-hour average lifespan of LED bulbs. But remember, incandescent bulbs are more expensive ($0.0079 per hour), so you still come out ahead, breaking even around 1,660 hours. .
Be aware that Philips Hue bulbs are too expensive and pointless 5 reasons Philips Hue bulbs are too expensive and pointless 5 reasons Philips Hue bulbs are too expensive and pointless Are you thinking of buying a Philips Hue smart lighting system for save money and create cool lighting effects? Read this article first, because Philips Hue realities don't always live up to the hype. Read more . If you opt for a cheaper alternative with less brand recognition, you can make up the difference much faster. For example, the Sengled A19 dimmable LED bulb is just over half the price!
Sengled E11-G13W Smart LED Soft White (Element Classic) Light Bulb, Hub Hubed, 2700K, A19 60W Equivalent, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings, 1 Pack Sengled E11-G13W Smart LED Soft White (Element Classic) Light Bulb, Hub Hubed, 2700K, A19 60W Equivalent, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings, 1 Pack Buy Now On Amazon $9.99
The cost of repairs can range from $500 for minor issues to $3,000+ for plumbing issues (plus $2,000+ for mold cleanup).
The longer it takes to discover water damage, the more expensive it becomes to repair. So the sooner you can spot water leaks, the less you'll pay in repairs and the more you'll save in the long run. That's where smart humidity sensors come in.
A D-Link Wi-Fi Water Sensor (our review D-Link Connected Home Review and Setup. D-Link Connected Home Products and D-Link Connected Home Gift features high-end security cameras definition, a water sensor, and a smart WiFi power switch. But is D-Link's vision of the smart home ready for your living space? Read More 5 people in your home in the most water-prone areas to maximize coverage, but it only takes ONE disaster to pay for itself multiple times .
D-Link DCH-S160 mydlink Wi-Fi Water Sensor D-Link DCH-S160 mydlink Wi-Fi Water Sensor Buy Now On Amazon $139.95
Consider a hypothetical water event that costs $1,000 to fix because you caught it early. It might have cost $2,000 if it had been another month before the signs appeared. As long as you spend less than $1,000 on smart water sensors, you'll come out ahead. And because they're reusable, they'll save you money over and over again.
Without a doubt, smart water sensors are absolutely worth it. Attention Homeowners:5 Smart Home Features Worth the Extra Cost Attention Homeowners:5 Smart Home Features Worth the Extra Cost What smart home features are worth it? Which ones can be safely discarded and ignored? Let's take a look at some that are really worth it. Read more . In fact, sensors in general are one of the most effective ways to improve the home. Check Out These Smart Sensors:Every Smart Home Must Have 6 Sensors Every Smart Home Must Have 6 Sensors Every Smart Home Must Have . But what other sensors should you consider? Here are six to get you started! Read more.
To be fair, not all smart home products exist to save you money. Si bien las cerraduras inteligentes y los sistemas de seguridad inteligentes pueden ahorrar dinero indirectamente a través de la prevención y recuperación de robos, también tiene elementos como timbres inteligentes, altavoces inteligentes y reproductores de medios inteligentes que existen únicamente para su comodidad y entretenimiento..
Al final del día, las casas inteligentes no son tan caras ¿Cuánto cuesta realmente una casa inteligente? How much does a smart home really cost? A smart home could change your life, freeing up time in your day and regulating your routine so you don't have to remember what needs to be done. But how expensive is it, really? Read more . Por el precio de una Xbox One o PlayStation 4, puedes equipar tu hogar con muchas golosinas inteligentes. Entonces, sí, puede tomar un año o dos para que ciertos dispositivos recuperen sus costos, pero considere eso como un bono. Una casa inteligente es más sobre comodidad y lujo.
¿Qué quieres en tu casa inteligente? ¿Es crucial el dinero o estás dispuesto a derrochar por comodidad y lujo? Let us know in the comments below!
