A Direct Energy Smart Thermostat is an excellent addition to anyone's home. Controlling the temperature in your home is not only convenient, but it can help save you money. Thank you to Direct Energy for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
Living in the crazy Chicago weather, I can really appreciate a device like the Nest Learning Thermostat. Around this time of year, you can wake up wishing your heat was on, only to switch to the air conditioner a few hours later.
I am fascinated with home automation and love learning about the new developments that are out there. Direct Energy has lots of great ideas when it comes to creating a smart home and maximizing energy efficiency.
10 Smart Home Energy Tips from Direct Energy
- Install a smart thermostat. Devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat allow you to control the climate in your home even while you are away.
- Switch all traditional bulbs to CFLs or LEDs. This will help ensure that your lighting is more energy efficient.
- Replace old appliances with Energy Star® appliances. New appliances are designed to save energy. This will also help your bank account over time.
- Upgrade your showerhead in your bathroom with a low flow one. These showerheads regulate the flow of water, creating more efficient showers.
- Make sure you have a strong WiFi signal to control your smart devices like your smart thermostat. Since you can control them remotely, it's important to periodically check your signal strength.
- Use light dimmers. Switching to dimmer switches can cut your electricity use 40% over time and make your bulbs last 20 times longer.
- Purchase automated pet food and water dispensers. Just in case you are gone longer than planned, your furry friends won't have to suffer for it.
- Plant trees in optimal spots around your property. This can provide shade during warmer months, making your system work less to cool down your home.
- Unplug devices when they are not in use. A shortcut to this is to use power strips.
- Water your yard with less waste by using a smart sprinkler system. They adjust based on weather and time of day, so you don't have to.
Pretty soon all we will have to do in our homes is live in them. 😉 This futuristic technology knocks my socks off, and I look forward to transforming our home into a smart home.
Direct Energy is committed to helping costumers build a smarter home. They are currently offering the opportunity to learn more about creating a smarter home by visiting their Facebook page. Their Comfort & Control Plans (24 or 36 month plans) offer fixed rate price stability, and a Nest Learning Thermostat (a $249 value) at no cost to you.
Rainbow Crumbs for You
Weekly newsletter with our latest posts and shenanigans.
Dawn Lopez says
Wow! These seriously sounds awesome. We’re in desperate need of something of this, I didn’t even know it existed. Here is to a budget friendly winter!
Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute says
Super tips Jennifer. I’ve been wanting a thermostat that I could set to come on in the morning since before they were ever made. This one sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing the tips & the giveaway. Hugs Girl!!!
Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute says
Shoot I just saw that my state doesn’t qualify 🙁
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
With Winter coming up quickly, it’s important that our homes are ready! My mom actually just turned the heat on yesterday because the weather has been pretty chilly the past several days. I can honestly say we do need a new thermostat though!
Dawn says
We need a new thermostat as well. Ours isn’t super old, but it’s old enough that an upgrade to a smart thermostat would be great.
Michele says
LOL energy vampires! It’s October and I haven’t touched the thermostat, yet. The comfort and control plans have peeked my interest. I’ll be visiting the Direct Energy FB page to check them out.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I like the idea of using dimmers. We have so much trouble leaving lights on when we leave a room in our house…and by we, I mean the kids.
Paula says
I need to install some light dimmers. That is such an easy way to save energy!
Shauna says
That thermostat has to be the coolest thing I have heard of in quite a while. I always forget to turn things off when we leave rooms and such… 🙁 Just the other day we left the outside sprinklers on for almost 6 hours because we forgot about them 🙁
Jenna Wood says
We are investing in a Nest thermostat this year. We use a lot of apps to track energy usage right now but the Nest would really make comprehending all the information easier.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
I’ve been looking at that Nest thermostat, I need one since I think that’s our biggest energy waster.
Aimee Smith says
These thermostats are so cool, my brother has one and absolutely loves it. I would love to get a handle on those energy suckers!
kristin says
Great tips. Ill have tousing start using some of them and see what a different it makes.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
This sounds amazing. I will tell my husband about this to get his thoughts. I love this idea.
Amy D says
My home has one too many energy vampires! I need a better system for sure!
Nolie says
We need to get better at unplugging things we aren’t using. We do have a programmable thermostat which really helps with our costs.
Ann BAcciaglia says
I should really change our showerheads. I have two teens and they shower a lot! I need to use showerheads that help with water consumption.
Courtney says
I’m going to start plugging everything into power strips. Did you know that any boxy plug actually draws power whether anything is connected to it or not?
Danielle @ We Have It All says
My family wastes way too much energy. I’d love to win this sweeps!
April says
This is super coool. I have been wanting to do this.
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
Thanks for the tips! We try and be as good as we can to make our home smarter.
Liz Mays says
I’m terrible about unplugging my devices. I definitely need to get better about that! I do love using dimmers though, and I’m all for moving stealthily through the darkness.
Stefani Tolson says
Thanks for all these great tips. I am always looking for ways to save on the energy bill.