In a world where technology is continuously evolving, there is always a new device introduced promised to make everyday life just that little more straightforward. However, along with the innovation of electrical appliances, comes a skyrocket in energy usage. According to Electrician Courses 4 U, the average UK home consumed £3.4 billion worth of electricity each year - a figure that is set to rise.
While the thought of future technological possibilities is exciting, it is more important than ever also to consider the impact on the environment. As featured in an article by the BBC News in April 2019, the UN has officially warned that we are no longer on track to meet climate change targets. The artic sea ice is in danger, and the world is getting hotter.
Luckily, there are now a whole host of fantastic technology which boasts environmentally friendly properties. It means you can still enjoy the digital age while doing your part in helping global warming. For some inspiration, we have devised a guide to our top 7 new energy saving technology, ideal for lowering your home’s carbon footprint.
The Best New Energy Saving Technology
Living in the UK means that we are no stranger to the growing issue of global warming. Every member of the population is actively encouraged to make even the smallest of lifestyle changes to improve their efficiency. We should all aim to take a ‘kind to nature’ approach to daily tasks, using ‘green technology’ to our advantage.
The term ‘green technology’, by definition, relates to devices that have been designed aiming to lower or reverse the effects humans have on the environment. Each piece of technology has sustainability, innovation, recyclability, along with the reduction of waste and pollution in mind. More information, including examples, can be found on the Green Technology website.
Now that we are familiarised with the definition of eco-friendly technology, we can now delve deeper into devices that are available for you and your home - here are our top seven!
1. Smart Power Strips
When getting ready for bed in the evening, do you go through each item plugged into the mains and ensure that the socket is turned off? If the answer is no, then you’re not alone. It can be somewhat tedious to reassure that every outlet is off before leaving devices unused for hours at a time. Televisions, computers and games consoles are just some of the many electronics that are left on standby when not in use.
Although placing items on standby is a more efficient option than leaving them switched on, it doesn’t mean that you are longer using energy. It is thought that leaving sockets switched on when not in use can add an extra 10% to your total energy bill. To cut your usage, consider investing in a smart power strip.
A smart power strip has the same appearance to its conventional alternative but is designed to control power. They sense when devices are plugged in, yet not in use, and cut off the power, avoiding any wasted energy. Redshed has put together a helpful guide on not only the best power strips but also how to choose a product to suit your needs.
2. Energy Monitor
If you are hoping to reduce the carbon footprint of your home, investing in an energy monitor is a fantastic place to start. An energy monitor cleverly calculates the running cost of all household appliances, along with lighting, to give you a full report of your spendings. Energy monitors aim to show you precisely where you are wasting valuable energy, so you can then decipher where you need to make lifestyle changes. Opting to install a monitor can save you up to 15% on your gas and electricity bills.
When considering an energy monitor, keep in mind that many energy suppliers provide a free monitor when you join their company. If you are on the search for electricity plans for homes and hoping to switch provider, then this is a great addition to look out for.
Those who are happy with their provider, yet are intrigued by the idea of an energy monitor should consider the eGO Smart Socket and App. The eGo Smart Socket and App allows you to control all appliances from a smartphone app, regardless of your location, showing you the real-time energy usage of each device. Electricals can be remotely switched off and scheduled to switch on when best suits your schedule.
3. Programmable Thermostat
While we are all no stranger to programmable thermostats, they are an excellent addition to every home. They will always land a spot on the best energy-saving technology.
A programmable thermostat allows homeowners to have full control over the temperature of their property. All heating and cooling equipment can be tailored to the individual, programmed to switch on and off based on a pre-set schedule. For example, in the Winter, heating can be scheduled to begin warming up half an hour before arriving home from work. You can come back after a long day to a cosy home, ready to relax for the evening.
Using a programmable thermostat is ideal for lowering your energy usage, as your boiler will only be used when necessary. Schedules can be altered based on season, to ensure that no energy is wasted and your home can maintain a steady, comfortable temperature. More information on the benefits of installing a programmable thermostat can be found on Compact Appliance.
4. Eco Showerhead
According to On Average, the average persons showering length is 8 minutes. While this may not seem like a long period of time, a conventional shower uses 2.1 gallons per minute, which totals to a substantial amount of energy. Based on these figures, the use of eco showerheads continues to grow in popularity.
Eco showerheads allow you to enjoy an equally as strong stream as a conventional shower but using less water. Ranges from Ecocamel, in particular, integrate aircore technology to limit water usage. When switched on, high-pressure air is forced into the water stream, which causes turbulence. The combination of increased pressure and turbulence makes it feel as if you are under a conventional shower, but using hardly any water. A flow regulator is also built-in, which ensures that the water flow is limited to only 8-litres per minute. Compared to the 2.1 gallons per minute of a traditional shower, 8 litres converts to just 1.8 gallons - a saving of almost a half!
5. Solar Chargers
While charging a single mobile phone will not use a huge chunk of energy, when multiplied by the number of devices in your home, this can quickly begin to accumulate.
Using solar chargers is a super easy eco-friendly lifestyle change, which not only helps to save the environment but is also incredibly convenient for you. Solar chargers allow you to charge your USB devices, regardless of your location, without any need for a mains power supply or battery pack. All you will need to do is ensure that the solar panels featured on your charger are facing the light. The solar energy is then used to supply electricity to the battery of the charger, and you’re good to go!
If you’re on the hunt for a reliable solar charger with great reviews, take a look at Independent’s guide to the eight best on the market!
6. Smart Lighting
For many years, homeowners have been encouraged to transition to LED lighting as opposed to traditional bulbs. Not only are LED alternatives 80% more efficient, but they also last up to 100,000 operating hours more than incandescent lighting. Assuming that you use each LED bulb for ten hours per day, your annual running cost will be just £2.78.
Now that almost all homeowners have opted for equipping their home with LED lightbulbs, products have started to innovate, incorporating various technological features. For example, IKEA’s Trådfri bulbs can now be purchased with additional equipment such as a remote control and smartphone hub. The smartphone hub connects to your device, allowing you to control each light source and create customised settings.
7. Timed Appliance Charger
Although the innovation of technology is always positive, in some cases, the most basic of concepts remain the most effective. Timed appliance chargers are ideal if you want to control how long devices charge for.
For instance, many opt for charging their mobile phone overnight. While charging while you sleep is a fantastic idea, the average smartphone takes just one to two hours to reach full battery. This means that for the additional hours that you sleep, you are wasting energy - to summarise, the longer you sleep, the more power necessary power you use.
A timed appliance charger, on the other hand, features a basic dial which is used to set an analogue timer. The timer is designed in 15-minute segments, which totals to a full 24 hours. All appliances can be plugged into the charger and set to how long you want the power to be provided for. While it may become somewhat tedious to use this for items you use 24-hours a day such as a fridge, it does come in handy for charging electronic devices.
Technology To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint!
Playing a role in saving the planet needn’t be a tricky task. You would be surprised how even the smallest of lifestyle changes can impact your efficiency. Spend time uncovering where you are wasting energy and areas that can be improved, so you can create a plan that is tailored to your home. If you notice an unusual spike in energy bills, then you would most definitely benefit from delving deeper into your electricity and home gas supply. You may need to research more efficient residential gas plans in order to begin your quest to lower your carbon footprint.