5 devices for your home that can support an eco-friendly lifestyle

The environment around us is rapidly changing, but as of May 2020 the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)​​​​​​​ in our atmosphere is the highest it has been in human history. The amount of CO2 that you can find now in the air causes the earth to heat up. This process is called the Greenhouse effect. It is similar to what happens in a greenhouse. 

While there has been much research into what effect these greenhouse gases can have on the environment, the most concerning and damaging effect is the tearing of the ozone layer, one of the many layers that protect the earth from harmful sun rays.  

With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our planet is facing as well as mitigate and take steps to prevent further environmental damage. 

While many renewable energy sources are rapidly being developed and integrated into our daily lives, we still heavily rely on nonrenewable energy resources like coal, oil and natural gas to power our 21st century lifestyles, which emit harmful co2 emissions that are destroying our ozone layer.   

So how does my home fit into this? 

Our homes are usually where we use 80% of energy. Whether that be using electrical energy to watch TV or simply popping a load of washing in, almost every action in our home results in the number of co2 emissions rising, and with the increasing rise in popularity and ease of home automation and smart living, are we making this worse? 

Thankfully, many companies such as Google and Amazon are constantly developing new and innovative ways to incorporate smart living that can make your home more eco-friendly and sustainable, so while it may seem like you are adding more devices to your home, these eco-friendly smart devices help reduce your carbon footprint. 

What device should I use where? 

  1. Energy saving 

Smartphone apps can connect your phone to a large variety of devices in your home such as the TV, blinds and lights so that you can switch off, wherever in the world you are. 

We recommend the control4 system that enables you to Use your phone as a remote when yours is lost somewhere between the couch cushions. Adjust the lights for the movie without getting up to hit the switch. Start that Spotify playlist out on the patio, then move it into the kitchen. All of this, with just a few taps on your mobile device. 

And with an active 4Sight subscription your smartphone is smarter than ever. 4Sight allows you to manage your home from downstairs, or down the street, enables voice control with your favorite voice assistants, and so much more.

We also recommend the Pyronix smartphone app, which is the ultimate smart device application for providing users with total control over their properties. ProControl+ can be used for standalone security or video systems, as well as fully integrated solutions; utilising the Enforcer or EURO 46 control panels, with the entire range of Pyronix Full-HD Wi-Fi cameras as well as any Hikvision video device.

Smart plugs allow you to switch your device on and off remotely or place them on a timer with the use of an internet connection, so if you are prone to forgetting if your iron or hair curler is on, smart plugs have got you covered. 

  1. Temperature control 

Programmable thermostats include an internal clock that allows a setback feature which will reduce overall fuel consumption and costs, which can also be controlled via your mobile device. 

Abel recommends the Nest thermostat. We estimate that it’s saved over 39 billion kWh of energy in millions of homes worldwide. Because it learns from you. It gets to know the temperature that you like when you’re at home. And turns itself down when you’re away. It even learns how your home warms up or how draughty it is, so it only uses the energy it needs. 

Thermostatic radiator valves  are an affordable way to control the temperature of individual radiators in a room resulting in reduced fuel consumption and lower energy bills, perfect for any spare bedrooms.  

  1. Lighting 

Smart lights can be switched on and off from any location, much like the rest of your devices connected to your smartphone, however with smart lighting, a huge benefit is being able to control the intensity of the lighting, to suit your needs. This reduces the amount of energy you use in the long run and can help create elegance, ambience and intimacy to your home. 

Abel recommends the control 4 smart lighting control system. Control4 Keypads feature customizable buttons that allow you to control more than just the lights—including music, movies, locks, thermostats, even your garage door—with a simple press. Turn on or off multiple rooms, or your entire house, with one tap as you’re headed off to work or turning in for the night. There’s no longer a need to travel from room-to-room switching off individual lights and televisions.

Conclusion: 

As the world and UK changes rapidly, our homes will also need change to reduce our environmental impact. Through adapting our current houses with sustainable smart technology options, purposeful design and a more sustainable composition of power sources, we can save significant amounts of money in energy bills while also reducing our carbon impact in the process. Good for our wallets and for the world at large.

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