Many of us are in the throws of bitter arctic chills across the northern states of the U.S. this holiday. It’s a chilling reminder of the potential extreme colds we can expect from Mother Nature. Lucky for us, smart home tech has evolved to a point where at least two key devices can really help keep your home cozy and energy-efficient.
Smart Thermostats
A must nowadays for any homeowner trying to achieve lower energy bills and the best energy-efficiency. These smart thermostats can be programed to automate with your daily schedule. For instance, drop the temperature down during the day when you aren’t at home. In the same theme of automation, your smart thermostat can also anticipate the drop in temperatures at night, providing an extra boost to your home’s heat keeping you cozy all night long.
These devices may take a bit of programming, and if you are in a larger home with multiple heating zones it might require more of an investment, but the payoffs are proven.
Smart Window Coverings
This is one we bet you didn’t think of, but really a good idea to consider. In the frigid cold of winter the worst mistake you can make as a homeowner is forgetting to open the shades in the morning. Why waste all of that wonderful thermal energy from the sun during the day? This isn’t exactly going to work if you have UV and thermal coatings on your windows – but if you don’t, take advantage of the sun’s warmth in the winter months.
With smart window shades, you don’t even have to think about this. You can set your home automation system to trigger your smart shades to open during the day when the sun is out, and then close again at night when you want that extra thermal barrier to keep the heat in.
These are two easy to install and deploy smart home technologies that can really help you to combat the bitter colds this winter. There are lots of options available for both smart thermostats and smart window coverings, just type in a google search and find what meets your needs. If you have more than one thermostat in your home, we highly recommend that you consult with your HVAC contractor for assistance with the smart thermostats.
We hope you’ll give them a try and let us know how it goes in the comments below.
