Smart products are all the rage — phones, TVs, tablets, even dog collars. But what makes a product smart? Simple; it works harder, making your life a little bit (or a lot) easier.
Smart devices are also available that can make your life easier and save you energy too. Talk about a win-win, right? Plus, with more people working from home (maybe you’re one of them), these items make more sense — and save more cents — than ever before.
Ready to save smarter? It’s big brain time!
Programmable Thermostat
Whether you’re working from home all day, or just coming in after your 9-to-5, you deserve to be comfortable. Plus, you can’t do your best work when you’re too cold or hot, right? So switch to a programmable WiFi thermostat to control your temperature settings from your phone (or connected device) and develop a heating and cooling schedule that saves you from running your HVAC system when no one is home. Plus, when you join PSO’s Power Hours program you get a $75 rebate on select WiFi thermostats.
Automatic Window Blinds
One of the best ways to save energy is a smart window covering strategy. In fact, some say it can even save you up to 20% in heating and cooling, and 3% in lighting. We know what you’re thinking: A “window covering strategy” doesn’t sound very easy. It is when you have automatic window blinds that open and close for you. While it sounds like something out of The Jetsons, smart blinds open and close by voice command, the touch of a button, or even by pre-programming.
Ask Alexa or Google Home
You know how your dad used to tell you not to touch the thermostat? Now you don’t have to — Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home can both do it for you! Connect your favorite virtual assistant AI technology to your smart plugs, thermostats and more, and control your home from your phone, wherever you roam. You can even use voice command. “Hey Alexa, please turn up the temp one degree.” See how easy that is!
LEDs
Smart doesn’t have to mean “complex” or “complicated.” In fact, some of the smartest devices are also the simplest — LED light bulbs. Make the switch to LED and you’ll use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Plus, LEDs last up to 50 times longer, so you don’t have to change them out all the time. Turn off lights with your voice, not your hands, and connect your LED lights to voice-activated technology like Bluetooth to make it even easier (and smarter) to save energy. We think LEDs are so smart, we help you pay for them
Try out these smart devices and you’ll be the smartest house on the block — of course, you should tell your friends, family and neighbors about them too. That would be really smart.