💡 7 Smart Ways to Save Energy (and Money)
High energy bills are stressful, and many households waste more energy than they even realize. However, a few simple changes can help you save a significant amount.
With Homey, you can automate your home to consume less energy without giving up on comfort. These smart tips will help you save money while also reducing your home's energy footprint.
1. Only heat your home when you're there
Heating your house when no one is home is a waste of energy. Homey can use your phone's location to detect when everyone is out. It can then lower the temperature on your smart radiator valves as soon as the last person leaves and start heating the house again right before someone returns. This way, you'll never heat an empty house again.
2. Stop "phantom loads" from draining your wallet
Many devices draw "phantom power," meaning they consume electricity even in standby mode. Homey can help you stop this waste. For example, plug your entertainment center and office equipment into smart plugs and have them turn off completely using a "Good Night" Flow while you sleep. The same can happen when you leave home, easily avoiding this hidden energy drain.
3. Run appliances when electricity is cheapest
With variable (spot) energy prices, appliances like dishwashers and washing machines can consume a lot of energy at the worst and most expensive times. Homey allows you to track current day and night tariffs and automatically run your appliances when electricity is at its cheapest. This way, you get clean dishes and fresh clothes for much less money.
4. Use the sun to your advantage
Homey can control your smart blinds and shades to make the most of natural sunlight. Set up a Flow to open the blinds in winter to use daylight for natural heating, and close them during sunny summer days to keep your rooms pleasantly cool. If you have excess solar energy, Homey can also automatically turn on your AC at the right time.
5. Make your regular appliances smarter
You don't need to buy brand-new smart appliances to save energy. For example, an older electric water heater often keeps water hot all day, constantly wasting energy. Connect it to a high-capacity smart plug or a smart DIN relay, and Homey can schedule the heating specifically for your morning and evening showers. The rest of the time, the heater stays off, and you save significantly.
6. Only light rooms when they are in use
Leaving lights on in empty rooms is pure waste. You can elegantly solve this problem by installing motion sensors in hallways, bathrooms, or closets. Homey can then turn the lights off a few minutes after everyone leaves. This simple change saves energy over time with zero extra effort.
7. Control humidity for maximum comfort and efficiency
Sometimes it’s the high humidity—not just the heat—that makes a room feel uncomfortable and forces you to crank up the AC. On humid days, Homey can turn on a dehumidifier to make the air feel cooler. This allows you to set your air conditioning to a higher temperature, still feel perfectly comfortable, and use a lot less energy.
Track your savings live in Homey Energy
If you want to save more energy, it is crucial to see exactly where it is being spent. The Homey Energy feature shows your home's real-time energy consumption, allowing you to quickly identify the biggest energy hogs, reduce their usage, and save money.
Are you ready to turn these tips into real savings? With Homey, you can make your home smarter and more efficient, not just for your wallet, but for the environment as well.
Get started with a Homey Smart Home today.