Varieties of Smart Home Technology

Appliances and electronics

Smart appliances are typical household appliances embedded with the ability to receive, interpret and act on signals sent remotely. They are vocal, flexible and self-aware, able to send alerts, adjust their schedule and self-diagnose mechanical issues. Some smart features, such as sensors embedded in dryers to indicate when a load is dry, have been available for more than a decade. But new technologies and expanded connectivity give residents new ways to interact with and control laundry machines, dishwashers, fridges, televisions and speakers.


Energy impact: Cost reductions of 2 to 9 percent are possible across the major appliance types.

Lighting

Smart lighting not only offers flexibility with lighting levels through dimmers, but also complements home security systems to boost safety. Smart lighting can be controlled through remote or onsite signals via three options: a personal handheld device, a smart speaker or a smart hub (a device that can centralize control inside the home). Smart lamps, comprised of LED bulbs and integrated fixtures such as recessed or can lights, integrate advanced LED features like dimming and color tuning. The lamps connect wirelessly to each other and can often be turned on and off via an app on a smart phone.


Energy impact: According to Efficiency Vermont, a small pilot study showed that using smart bulbs could reduce hours of use by 7 to 27 percent annually, depending on lamp location. High-use areas in the home could potentially yield even greater results because of the reduction in standby power draw. Standby power draw remains a challenge of smart lighting’s efficiency, since lamps continue to use power even when turned off.

Outlets and power strips

Smart plugs and outlets can automate the control of any device with an AC plug. Able to be controlled remotely through apps, smart outlets replace existing wall outlets. Smart plugs, outlets and advanced power strips (APSs) save energy by cutting power to plugged-in devices when they are not in use. They can turn off devices automatically, limiting both standby and active power consumption. APSs are designed primarily for the home office and entertainment center, where there tends to be a high concentration of consumer electronics.

Energy impact: Some devices, such as rarely used kitchen appliances and video gaming consoles, use electricity even when the appliance is sleeping, According to research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, these devices can account for as much as 10 percent of the average household’s energy bills every year. Efficiency Vermont says consumers can save as much as $100 per year by avoiding standby load for game consoles alone.

Window coverings

Smart window coverings consist of wireless motorized shades and blinds that rise, lower or tilt automatically. They respond to changes in daylight by adjusting their height or angle and can also be controlled by preset schedules. Smart shades and blinds replace conventional window treatments, although some existing window blinds and shades brands can be retrofitted with wireless motors.


Energy impact: According to the ACEEE report, smart window coverings can provide HVAC savings of 11 to 20 percent and lighting savings of 3 percent. However, the window controls’ standby mode does create a power draw. The energy impacts are made even more complex by the fact that they are interconnected and interrelated to heating, cooling and lighting. Closing shades and blinds to reduce heat may actually increase lighting energy consumption. Opening them to optimize for daylight may increase heat gain, which, depending on the season, can increase or decrease energy consumption.

HVAC

A smart HVAC system makes temperature zoning a new reality. Sensors collect temperature and humidity readings in each room and connect wirelessly to the home’s thermostat. A smart HVAC system uses sensor and local weather data to optimize when and how rooms are heated or cooled. As the technology progresses, smart HVAC may also incorporate smart vents—air supply registers embedded with occupancy sensors—that automatically close when rooms are vacant. Already, some smart vents on the market pair with Nest and ecobee smart thermostats and can respond to commands from the thermostat.


Energy impact: Most single-family homes in the United States have central HVAC systems that condition all rooms at one time despite occupancy. According to the ACEEE report, smart zoning could result in 10 percent HVAC energy savings, on average.

Water heating

Smart water heater controls prevent the unnecessary heating of water. By integrating analytics to learn household water use patterns, they heat water only at times of anticipated need. During periods of inactivity, the water heater idles and the temperature drifts within an acceptable range.


Energy impact: Roughly two to three time more efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters, smart water heater controls can achieve energy cost savings of $50 to $200 per participant per year depending on energy market conditions. According to the ACEEE report, these savings could pay back the incremental cost of a smart control retrofit in one to three years.

Thermostats

Smart thermostats incorporate inputs from the local weather station and from wireless sensors that monitor temperature, humidity and occupancy. A smart thermostat automates a home’s HVAC to respond to occupancy, behavior patterns and changes in weather. It can even communicate with other connected devices, particularly ones that utilize geofencing, throughout the home.


Energy impact: Estimates of energy savings from smart thermostats vary widely. Many manufacturers report HVAC savings of anywhere from 10 to 20 percent, while third party evaluations on smart thermostats tend to be closer to 10 percent. Savings also vary regionally, with cooling savings skewing upwards to 20 percent in warm, humid climates and hovering at 15 percent in heating savings for homes in very cold climates.