On October 21st, World Energy Saving Day is celebrated, an event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of being more sustainable with the planet. SPC offers a series of technological tips that, once put into practice, can help save on the dreaded electricity and gas bills.
Amid the energy crisis caused by the global gas supply issues, and with the entire world focused on meeting the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), October 21st marks World Energy Saving Day. This date aims to convey to everyone the importance of responsible and efficient energy use when caring for the environment.
Furthermore, in a context where rising gas prices have affected electricity bills, which in turn have directly impacted the economies of European countries, this celebration takes on special significance. Through small everyday technological actions, any family can help reduce the planet’s pollution while simultaneously saving money.
To this end, SPC, the Spanish technology company specializing in the development of smart products, compiles a series of tips that, combined with the use of IoT (Internet of Things) devices that can be managed from a smartphone or tablet, from anywhere and at any time, help our homes consume less electricity and gas and, therefore, become more sustainable:
- How to reduce heating consumption in winter without stopping its use?
On average, each Spaniard spends more than 300 euros to keep their home warm throughout the winter season, a figure that, according to studies, can even exceed 500 euros in the coldest areas of Spain. To lower this amount, it is recommended to set home temperatures to 20ºC during the day and 16ºC at night. In this regard, SPC suggests incorporating smart valves that allow setting different temperatures for each room. These devices enable precise temperature control in every corner of the house, which, in the long run, leads to lower energy consumption and considerable savings.
This way, less-used rooms can be kept at a lower temperature, while more frequently used rooms can be made more comfortable. In the case of the smart valves in the SPC VESTA STARTER KIT, they can be managed via the SPC IoT app, turning them on or off whenever we want, or changing the target temperature from anywhere using our smartphone or tablet.
- Does keeping the home heating on at a low temperature save money?
There is a common misconception that it is cheaper to keep the heating on at a low temperature all the time, but the reality is quite different. This practice does not actually save money on the bill in the long run. It is more advisable to turn off the heating for a while once a comfortable temperature is reached in a room.
- Did you know that proper furniture arrangement can reduce energy consumption?
It may seem obvious, but furniture placement not only affects room design but also has a big impact on how warm or cool a room feels. For example, when placing a sofa or other seating, it’s better to position it against an interior wall rather than an exterior one, as the heat retained inside the home reduces dependence on heating.
- How much energy does the red standby light on the TV consume when I turn it off with the remote?
The “phantom consumption” of appliances, known as standby mode, also affects energy savings. The red light on the TV is the most well-known example. This happens because some devices, when turned off, remain in standby to respond quickly when turned back on. According to the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy, this system accounts for between 7% and 10% of the total energy consumption of a home over the year, which in practice is like having another high-consumption appliance running, such as a dishwasher.
One way to fix this is by using smart plugs, allowing control of electrical consumption from anywhere or even automatic shutdown. Thanks to IoT technology, we can schedule appliance use to match the best electricity rates contracted, either through a mobile app or voice assistants available on some models. This way, these smart devices can monitor the consumption of the plugged-in appliance, enabling much more efficient use.
- Can we improve our consumption by paying attention to energy labels?
When choosing home appliances, energy efficiency is essential for responsible energy consumption. In 2021, the rating scale changed and now ranges from A (highest efficiency) to G (lowest), with stricter criteria. Thus, an appliance considered very efficient in 2020 might now be rated class B under current standards. When purchasing high-consumption devices like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, it is crucial to consider the energy label to anticipate electricity costs.
- Why is it recommended to buy smart LED bulbs?
LED models offer widely proven energy savings compared to traditional bulbs and guarantee a lifespan of over 50,000 hours, equivalent to having them on continuously for five years. This way, we avoid buying more bulbs than necessary and reduce the production of conventional models, decreasing pollutant gas emissions caused by manufacturing.
If we apply IoT technology to LED bulbs, we can find smart models that can be managed from a smartphone via an app, allowing us to turn them on and off remotely or even control their brightness and color. Additionally, we can check if any lights were left on and turn them off from anywhere to avoid surprises at the end of the month. There is even the option to switch multiple lights on or off simultaneously using smart switches.
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