How The Right Data Can Make A Smart Home Smarter
Smart home technology has a lot to offer homeowners. From greater security to voice control of lighting and appliances, truly smart homes make life more convenient and comfortable. Better yet, it looks like smart homes are on the cusp of getting even smarter.
Thanks to an Austin, Texas startup and their innovative idea, homeowners with smart technology may be able to make that technology more efficient. If efficiency is really at the core of smart home automation, then this startup’s gadget is likely to be a big hit. The gadget makes it possible to figure out just which appliances in your home are using the most energy.
Just Plug It into Your Panel
The device in question is manufactured by a company known as Curb. The device measures the power draw on each circuit in the home as soon as it is plugged into the home’s electrical panel. It measures, analyzes data, and reports back to the homeowner. Its advanced algorithms are able to analyze individual electrical signals from different appliances in the home. Those signals can then be compared to determine how much electricity each device is using.
How does this device make a smart home smarter? By mitigating the need for the homeowner to guess. For example, we just assume that turning down the thermostat at night saves energy by not running the furnace when we are sleeping. But how do we know that for sure?
Turning down the thermostat is just common sense. But is it possible that letting your home get too cool during the overnight hours results in more energy being consumed to warm it back up in the morning? Measure the actual draw the furnace is putting on your electrical system and you will be able to figure out just how much power it is using.
Better Data Means Better Programming
The Curve device offers important data homeowners can use to better program their smart homes. If saving money is the key, data is important. A greater volume of accurate data gives you a better understanding of where in your home energy is to being consumed the most. That tells you how to program your many devices to further reduce energy consumption.
According to Vivint Smart Home, better programming is just the start. The right data can reveal which devices and appliances in your home are leaking energy. It can also show you devices that are drawing power unnecessarily. For example, maybe you have a home theater system that is constantly drawing power even when it’s not being used.
You can place that system on a smart outlet and then program the outlet to remain off during those hours you are normally not home. Program the outlet to turn back on just before you are set to return home from work. It will be available when you have time to use it while not drawing power when you know it will not be used.
Making Better Use of Things
When you boil it down to its fundamental principles, the smart home is built on the principle of making better use of those things we have in our homes. Smart homes make better use of thermostats and HVAC units. They make better use of lighting and electrical outlets. Smart homes even make better use of security systems.
Thanks to an Austin startup, the smart home concept could be on the verge of getting even smarter. Imagine incorporating their technology into an entire system that accounts for security, energy use, and personal comfort. It is only a matter of time before we get there.