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Turn on the lights

New technology increases energy efficiency and savings.

By Tonya McMurray

hen looking for ways to make a home more energy TemPeraTure CoNTrol
efficient, high-tech might not be the first thought Smart thermostats are the newest iteration of the programmable
that comes to mind. But an increasing number of device. Like programmable thermostats, smart thermostats allow
W technology solutions offer both energy and cost sav- homeowners to set different schedules to manage their household’s
ings for homeowners. temperature. But smart thermostats can automate that process even
Home-automation systems, or smart home technology, gives home- more, and they allow control of heating and cooling systems remotely.
owners a hands-on approach to managing energy use within their New, high-tech smart thermostats are equipped with sensors that
homes. These systems allow them to control almost any home appli- automatically adjust a home’s temperature according to a person’s
ance from any internet-connected device. lifestyle and schedule. Geofencing — the use of GPS or RFID technol-
A smartphone app can turn Wi-Fi-connected lights off and on. For ogy to create a virtual geographic boundary — features included in
example, a light can be turned on as someone is on their way home in many smart thermostats can determine when a homeowner leaves
the evening instead of leaving it on all day. Or, the lights can be turned for the day so it can turn down the heat and then turn it up when the
on and off while a homeowner is on vacation, so it looks like someone person is on their way home.
is home. Wi-Fi-enabled ceiling fans can link to smart thermostats and Some ENERGY STAR -certified smart thermostats can learn a
®
automatically adjust the fan speed and direction based on the ambient homeowner’s preferences automatically and establish a schedule that
temperature in the room.

04 naturalLiving ❙ Fall - Winter 2019