Boosting energy efficiency with smart tech

With the rising cost of gas and electricity, many of us are looking at ways to reduce our energy usage and be more energy efficient. The recent energy price cap has limited the average yearly bill to £2,500, but this is still far too much money for people to be spending on their energy bill.

This Sustainable Energy Day we’re highlighting ways that connectivity and digital technology can reduce our energy expenditure and increase energy efficiency – and, at the same time, help us to have a healthier and happier planet!

How can technology reduce my energy use?

Smart homes

Creating a smart home, with the use of smart technology, can be one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills. Something as simple as a free smart meter from your energy supplier can help you to monitor your daily energy usage and, in turn, take steps to reduce it.

One step up from a meter is a smart thermostat, which can save an average household 10-12% on heating costs, by reducing heating in unused rooms or when you’re out during the day. These thermostats can all be controlled from a smartphone, so it’s easy to control the heating in your home, even when you’re out.

Smart light bulbs, plugs and many other appliances (think washing machines and dishwashers!) now have the capability to connect with smartphones. This way you can programme them to run at certain times or switch them on and off with ease from a distance. Once again, this will reduce your energy expenditure, helping you to become more energy efficient and reduce your energy bill.

The internet of things

Not only can smart appliances be controlled remotely, but with the introduction of faster broadband speeds and 5G, the internet of things (IoT) is now a reality.

The IoT is the concept of connecting any device – as long as it has an on/off switch – to the internet and to other connected devices. As these devices collect data, they have the ability to learn and respond on their own without manual input.

Using IoT to boost energy efficiency at home could include having a device connected to the front door or garage door that could learn your routine for leaving the house – for example, going to work. In response to this, it could learn to turn off the heating, switch off lights, and make sure certain appliances are switched off until you return home later that day.

The use of 5G

Without improved connectivity such as fibre broadband, 4G and 5G, the use and application of IoT devices and smart technology would not be possible. 5G is in its infancy, but early studies have shown that it is up to 90% more energy efficient than 4G in terms of energy consumption per unit of traffic. This means that using 5G over 4G alone is more energy efficient.

Digital Essex is working to boost connectivity across the county to help our residents make the most of digital technologies, including smart tech. We don't have plans to roll out our own 5G network, but we're supporting and guiding the plans of mobile network operators so that our county is better connected as soon as possible.

Did you know?

• A study by Europacable found that fibre is the most energy efficient technology for broadband access networks.
• Constantly recharging your smartphone to 100% uses more energy than keeping it between 20-80% most of the time. For the same reason it’s not a good idea to let the battery get down to zero too often.
• Switching off home appliances at the wall can save around £35 a year.

We hope that this blog will encourage you to make a couple of simple changes this Sustainable Energy Day and beyond, which will not only reduce your energy use and your bills, but help to create a healthier planet too.