Right from electronics and kitchen appliances to HVAC systems, all these items consume a lot of energy. Modern homes use more used around thirty-seven percent more energy today than they did in 1980. Fortunately, a number of technologies are available today that can help people to keep a check on their energy consumption at home. Paul Favret says that such technologies are usually designed to help people to become more energy efficient, lower their energy bills, and even reduce their carbon footprint.
Paul Favret underlines certain energy saving innovations that can be used in modern homes
Installation of solar panels is one of the best ways to use technology to curb energy bills at home. Solar panels convert sunlight into energy, thereby avoiding the need for traditional electricity sources. With proper solar panel installation, homes in many parts of the world can entirely run on solar power. Solar power is inexhaustible, sustainable, and renewable. It is clean and does not produce any such greenhouse gases that might harm the environment. Moreover, solar panels have become much more budget-friendly than before in the last few years. Hence, people can easily install such systems in their homes, without having to spend too much money.
Cool roofs are another innovation that helps in managing energy consumption in homes. They prevent the roof from heating up, thereby reducing the need to cool the home, even in the summer months. Cool roofs have high solar reflectance and thermal emittance. This basically means that they can divert heat and light away from a home, rather than absorbing it. This allows people to enjoy a comfortable indoor environment in the summers, even if their air conditioner is switched off. Cool roofs tend to be made of a highly reflective type of shingles, tiles, paint, or sheet covering.
Incandescent bulbs used to be the conventional source of light in most homes in the 20th century. Unfortunately, these bulbs also consume a lot of electricity. Therefore, it is way smarter for homeowners to switch to new-age LED (light emitting diodes) lighting. In case of incandescent lighting, a lot of electric energy is wasted as heat energy. This ultimately reduces the efficiency in producing light. However, LED lights generate little to no heat. They are able to maximize the energy available. Paul Favret adds that apart from being a great energy saving innovation LED lights also have a long lifespan. This ensures more savings for the homeowners in the long run.
Installation of modern insulated windows is another effective way to manage energy consumption at home. These windows feature sensors and microprocessors that are responsible for automatic adjustment with the shading of a house. They ideally reduce the amount of electricity-wasting air infiltration at a home. In case home windows are not properly installed, they are likely to allow air to penetrate through defective seals. Hence, homeowners need to be smart about selecting windows that will give their home insulation for peak energy efficiency.