Guest Post - The 4 Best Smart Thermostats for Energy Efficiency

With rising prices around the country, it’s more important than ever to try to save a dollar or two where you can. While it may seem contradictory to recommend spending money to save money, an upfront investment can save you a lot in the long run on home energy efficiency! 

That’s why we’ve curated this list of our four favorite smart thermostats to make your home’s heating and cooling more energy efficient. Not only does energy efficiency save you money, but it’s better for the planet, too!

Our Four Favorite Smart Thermostats for Energy Efficiency

Honeywell Lyric T5 Smart Thermostat | MSRP $124.99

Best Bang for Your Buck + Easy Installation

We’re listing this Honeywell thermostat first on our list for its balance between price and quality. It’s relatively easy to install, integrates with smart-home systems like Google Assistant and Alexa, and has a smartphone app to control your home temperatures from anywhere.

While some reviewers note that the thermostat has issues with staying connected to their home’s Wifi, it more than makes up for occasional issues in its ease of installation and other functionality.

ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control | MSRP $219.99

Best Combination of Design and Functionality

The first thing that stood out to us about the ecobee Smart Thermostat is how gorgeously sleek it looks on the wall (an admittedly subjective opinion, but worth mentioning). Not only can you control it with voice, but it has built-in speakers that you can use for an intercom function around the house!

According to the ecobee website, you can expect to save up to 26% on annual energy costs, but your mileage may vary. 

Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation | MSRP $249.00

“Smartest” Thermostat on the Market

The 3rd generation Google Nest thermostat is the most expensive on our list of 4 best smart thermostats for energy efficiency, and it boasts an impressive suite of features. Most notable is the “Learning” aspect of the thermostat; the Google product page claims it “automatically adapts as your life and the seasons change. Just use it for a week and it programs itself.”

Like the other thermostats on this list, you can control it from anywhere with an app or from the room it’s in with your voice. And, according to an independent study, you can expect to save around 10%-15% on heating/cooling expenses with the Google Nest.

LuxPro Thermostats | MSRP $34.99+

Our Favorite Smart Thermostat on a Budget

As the cheapest option on this list, the LuxPro line of programmable thermostats is definitely the least feature-rich. But that doesn’t mean they can’t still help you save on your energy bill! The lowest level of LuxPro Thermostats may not technically be “smart” thermostats, but they still have programmable schedules so you’re only heating or cooling when you need it.

LuxPro’s smart thermostats, such as the GEO and KONO lines, are more comparable to the other brands on our list in both price and features.

Saving time and energy has never been easier!

A smart (or programmable) thermostat could save you money on your energy bills, not to mention the daily time you’ll save not having to change the thermostat whenever the room gets uncomfortable. Whether you go with one of the thermostats above or find a different brand that suits your home better, you’ll be happy you made an investment that pays for itself in just a year or two.

And if you want to learn even more about how to save energy at home, check out all of House to Home Organizing’s blog posts on the topic!

Author Bio

Aux Home Services is a heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical company in Bessemer, Alabama. We’ve been helping families across Jefferson and Shelby Counties for over 30 years with their home services needs. The Aux Home Services difference is in our dedication to providing you with the very best service possible.

Do Solar Panels Work in Cold Weather?

Solar panels transform energy from the sun into a form that can be used to heat our homes and cook our food, but will solar panels work in the winter? It is a logical question to ask, because we can all feel the difference in the sun's output between a blazing hot summer and a freezing, perhaps even snowy winter. Let us take a look behind the scenes, so to speak, and see exactly how solar panels work.

What are Solar Panels Made From?

Solar panels consist of two layers of wafer-thin slices of silicon. One of these layers is positively charged, while the other is negatively charged. When the sun's rays hit these photovoltaic cells, they agitate the electrons, which begin to move between the positive and negative wafers; this "agitation" causes an electric current.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

The electrical current created by the movement of the electrons is direct current (DC), which is not suitable for use in the home. But the direct current is easily converted into alternating current (AC), which is perfect for domestic home use. It can also be stored until it is needed, which is highly useful since we seldom need to light or warm our homes when the sun is shining!

The Power Grid

Most homes that have solar panels are also connected to a power company's grid. If your solar panels do not generate enough to meet all your power needs, they can be topped up by the power company.

But what happens more and more, with new efficiencies in both solar panel manufacture and appliances using less power to create the same effect, is that your solar power is surplus, especially at times of low usage (when you are away from home, for example, or in the middle of the day, when little power is being used).

This surplus can actually flow into the power company's grid, and you will be credited for that power on your bill. This means that summer sunshine can, ultimately, help pay for heating your home (whether new or old) in winter.

Do Solar Panels Work in Cold Weather?

This brings us back to the main question: what happens in winter when the sun is further away and the weather is noticeably colder? Do solar panels still work effectively? The short answer is that your solar panels can function just as well in cold weather as they do in hot weather. However, there are a few caveats to this. Solar power does not, as might be assumed, use the heat of the sun to work.

Rather, it is the light from the sun that is harnessed and converted into useful electricity. The clue can be found in the name of the cells used to harness the sun's rays: photovoltaic, where "photo” refers to light (if it were heat, it would be 'thermovoltaic'). So we can see that as long as it is a bright day, solar panels should work effectively, even if it is cold.

Are There Times When Solar Panels Do NOT Work?

There are some conditions under which your solar panels will not work effectively. Most of the time, this is because the solar panel array can't see the sun's rays for some reason. Sometimes this is because of thick cloud cover, which can make it very dull and gray.

On these days, you will still make some solar power, but probably not enough to meet all your needs. Pollutants in the air, such as those produced by out-of-control wildfires or, in extreme cases, ash from volcanoes, can also be a cause. But your solar panels can also be prevented from working at their best by a thick snow cover or leaves blowing over from nearby trees.

In these latter cases, make sure, when you install your solar panels, that you have a way to access them fairly easily for cleaning and maintenance (the secret of a well-run home)—simply wiping down the grime that accumulates over time will restore your solar panels back to peak efficiency.

On the other hand, solar panels are made to almost clean themselves. They can easily brush off deep snow and dirt, so cleaning them shouldn't be too hard.

Positive Notes to End On

One very useful feature of solar power for those who live in countries (such as Ireland, which has solar panels) where winter can be very cold but clear: the cold increases the "difference" between the positive and negative wafers, emphasizing the agitation between the two. This means that the electrical current produced is stronger and will therefore give you more power for your home.

Finally, a thick blanket of snow illuminates the landscape while reflecting a lot of light upwards to your roof, where it finds your solar panels!

Do solar panels work in cold weather? The answer is, they do—and not only that, but they can even work more efficiently than in the summertime. And that is a win when it comes to heating our homes, ensuring that we have hot water for bathing and washing up, and for cooking delicious meals that also help to stave off the cold!

Why Your Electric Bill is High

Do you dread opening your electric bill each month? You're not alone. High electricity bills have become an all-too-familiar cost of modern life, whether it’s scorching hot summer days that necessitate air conditioning or cold winter nights that require the furnace to kick in. 

But high electricity costs don't always need to be a fact of life--there are plenty of logical ways you can lower your electric bill without sacrificing comfort or convenience. 

In this blog post, we'll explore why many people see higher than average electrical bills and offer straightforward tips for reducing energy usage throughout your home. 

So get ready for nice surprises the next time you open up your utility statement!

Why Your Electric Bill is High

If you feel as though your electricity bill is high, you're not alone. The average electricity price is around 10.42 cents per kilowatt-hour.

In most cases, your appliances are often the biggest culprits when it comes to high energy bills. The average household can use up to 40% of their total electricity consumption on appliances alone! 

Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers should all be checked for energy efficiency ratings before being used in your home. You'll want to make sure that you're using Energy Star-certified products whenever possible, as these models typically use less energy and cost less on your electric bill over time. 

Lighting is another major contributor to high electricity bills. Incandescent light bulbs are extremely inefficient and should be replaced with LED or CFL bulbs as soon as possible - these bulbs require far less electricity and have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. Installing motion detector lights in areas like hallways or bathrooms can help reduce your electric bill by only turning on when necessary. 

The heating and cooling systems in your home are another big factor when it comes to electricity costs. Keeping the thermostat set at moderate temperatures while you're away from home can help reduce costs significantly - especially during summer months when cooling systems tend to run at full blast for long periods of time. 

It's also important to regularly maintain your HVAC system; this includes replacing air filters monthly and scheduling regular preventative maintenance inspections with a professional technician. Doing so will ensure that your system is running efficiently for longer periods of time - saving you money in the long run!  

5 Ways to Save Electricity at Home

We're all looking for ways to cut down on our electricity bills and save money. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to do just that!

1. Do an Energy Audit 

A great place to start is by doing an energy audit of your home. An energy audit will help identify areas where you need to make improvements in order to become more energy efficient. It will also help you determine which appliances and electronics are using the most electricity and need to be unplugged or upgraded. 

2. Unplug Appliances and Electronics - or Upgrade Old Ones

Many appliances and electronics continue to use power even when they are turned off. Unplugging these items can significantly reduce the amount of electricity used in your home each day. If some of your appliances and electronics are older, consider upgrading them with newer models as newer ones typically use less electricity than their older counterparts. 

3. Adjust Your Thermostat 

Another easy way to save electricity at home is by adjusting your thermostat settings. For example, setting it higher in summer and lower in winter can help save money on your electric bill while not compromising comfort. You can also look into smart thermostats that offer additional features such as scheduling and automated control, which can really help optimize your energy usage for maximum efficiency. 

4. Change the Way You Shower 

Taking shorter showers is one way to conserve water and reduce the amount of electricity used on hot water heating. Additionally, installing a low-flow shower head or lowering the water heater temperature setting can further reduce the amount of electricity used by your hot water heater each month. 

5. Use Power During Off-Peak Hours

Many utility companies offer discounted rates for customers who use power during off-peak hours (usually between 10 pm - 6 am). This means that if you shift some of your activities like laundry or running larger appliances like washing machines during these hours, you could save a significant amount on your monthly electric bill! 

Final Thoughts

Reducing the amount of electricity used in our homes is key for saving money as well as helping the environment. With these five easy tips, anyone can start saving electricity today! From doing an energy audit to changing up how we shower, there’s something everyone can do to become more efficient with their energy usage at home. So why wait? Start saving today!

10 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

There are numerous ways to save money and live in a greener home without calling a realtor. Anyone can use these tips to make their home more energy efficient overnight. Consider using these strategies to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and start living the eco-friendly lifestyle you want.

1. Close Your Curtains

When your curtains are open, they let sunlight in. It can be refreshing and beautiful, but it also invites the heat from sunshine or the cold of winter into your home. The constant cooling or heating requires your HVAC unit to turn on more frequently. Keep your curtains closed whenever possible to maintain your interior temperature without using extra electricity.

2. Get a Smart Thermostat

Conventional thermostats monitor your home’s temperature with a sensor in the thermostat unit. If your thermostat’s hallway gets cold by your front door, the other rooms in your house that stay warm will get an overabundance of heat because the thermostat reads the entire house as one temperature.

Smart thermostats change the game by monitoring your home as individual rooms. Homeowners who install one save 5.7% on every electric bill on average. Your home will become more energy efficient right away and you’ll save money every month.

3. Upgrade Your Garage Door

Your walls keep cold and hot air out with solid materials and insulation. Garage doors are much thinner but take up the space of an entire wall. They can let outdoor air affect your home by letting it slip into your garage unless you upgrade to an insulated model.

Garage doors with insulation combine energy efficiency with style by adding insulation to the inside of the door. Instead of gluing it to the outside, your new model will improve your home’s curb appeal and regulate its interior temperature more easily. It’s a quick fix that homeowners often don’t consider, but it’s one of the leading ways to make your home more energy efficient.

4. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Every time you need to do laundry, your water heater draws electricity to heat every gallon. You don’t necessarily need hot water if you don’t have to sanitize your clothes, so switch the water temperature setting to cold. Your machine will use much less electricity with each load without compromising the cleanliness of your clothes.

5. Check Your Window Seals

Windows have a fine line of sealant around each edge. It’s an essential part of maintaining the integrity of your windows, but it can break away with time and weathering.

Check the sealant around your windows to see if there are cracks or missing chunks. You can easily apply a new sealant layer to keep outdoor air from leaking into your home.

6. Try Low-Flow Showerheads

Your showerhead has a surprising effect on your home’s energy efficiency. Standard showerheads use 18 to 25 gallons per 10-minute shower, which requires electricity to heat before it reaches your bathroom.

Installing a low-flow showerhead reduces how much water you use with each shower without requiring less time in the bathroom. They either mix air with the water to slow how much you use or direct it through a smaller nozzle to reduce your daily water usage. Either way, you can enjoy the same shower length without needing as much electricity to heat the water.

7. Build a Compost Bin

Composting is an excellent way to reduce electricity usage. When someone throws out organic waste, the waste has more water in it than packaging materials or other types of trash. The water makes it heavier, increasing the fuel needed to transport it to landfills and the electricity required to process it.

People with compost bins naturally decompose organic matter in their backyards. It’s electricity-free and prevents your home from adding to local landfills. Consider building one or buying a pre-made container to make your household more sustainable and require less electricity to maintain your way of life.

8. Look for LED Bulbs

Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are more energy efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. If the packaging lacked any eco-friendly certifications, you might have incandescents in your lamps and other light fixtures.

The problem with incandescents is their loss of energy. They warm up to higher temperatures to produce light, but that means shedding electricity through heat loss instead of using it to light a room. LED bulbs don’t heat up nearly as much, saving 75% of potential energy usage and lasting longer. They’re also available at almost the same price wherever you shop for lightbulbs.

9. Unplug Your Electronics

When was the last time you unplugged your television or desktop computer? They both absorb electricity while in sleep mode, so turn them off by unplugging them when you finish using them for the day. You’ll prevent any passive electricity consumption and instantly make your home more energy efficient.

10. Replace Your Air Filters

Changing your air filters might be a household chore that slips your mind. It only happens every few months, but it’s worth the investment. When filters clog with dust and debris, your HVAC system must work longer to push the same fresh air through. Replace your filters frequently to make your HVAC system as efficient as possible and help it last as long as possible, too.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Try using these tips to make your home more energy efficient when you’re ready to live a greener life. They’re simple ways to upgrade your house with sustainable alternatives. Every effort made in the fight against climate change helps the planet, your budget, and your peace of mind.