As energy bills continue to rise, and with the price limit (maximum annual rate) expected to reach £ 2,800 in October, households are scrambling to avoid staggering costs. And with millions driven into fuel poverty, new innovations may be necessary to help account payers avoid paying out extra cash.
According to a new study by the global technology company OKdo, smart devices for temperature control, appliances and lighting can do just that.
In fact, OKdo claims that these devices can reduce a whole £ 460 each year.
Several of these different devices may play a role in doing so.
Smart thermostats, for example, can save you as much as £ 154 a year on its own, according to Ecoexperts.
Smart thermostats usually cost between £ 160 and £ 200 and work like a regular thermostat, except to connect to wifi.
Via this connection you can tell the smart thermostat to change the temperature, which can be done instantly from wherever you are.
This system apparently gives you more control because it also lets you schedule all your heating without moving around, an extra plus for the elderly or disabled.
Previous analysis has suggested that it could reduce between 14 percent and 31 percent of heating bills
And, according to British Gas research, switching off so-called vampire devices could save an average of £ 147 a year.
Based on research done on appliances in 2019, British Gas has adjusted the figures to take into account changing prices, in which households would save around £ 55 a year by switching off all their appliances when not in use.
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It is more energy efficient as they do not generate as much heat as traditional light bulbs, which therefore require less energy and in turn can lead to lower bills.
In fact, 20,000 hours of lighting with traditional light bulbs costing £ 25.80, compared to £ 5.40 with a smart light bulb, revealed an analysis by Shell Energy.
Thomas Goodman, real estate expert at MyJobQuote, said: “As bills rise and green initiatives begin to change the way we live, new homeowners are likely to look to smart technology to help improve efficiency and maintain better control over heating systems. Smart controls such as thermostats, for example, will have wide appeal to different types of buyers, from the eco-conscious to the financially smart. ”
Nils Christensson, vice president of product and technology at OKdo, said: “I think the fundamental aspects that will drive the future of home technology will be safety, environmental costs and convenience.
“For example, there is a clear need where cost and environmental benefits are linked to comfort, which is why many UK residents want to see even more technological advances in features that can make the home more energy efficient or help heat the home in an easier way. with minimal user input. ”