As residential and commercial electricians in Calgary, we at A-Star know we work with a valuable resource that we all rely on to keep our homes and businesses comfortable and running well. We are committed to protecting the environment, as well as helping to control expenses, so we are always trying to assist with decreasing energy use as much as possible.
There are lots of easy ways to reduce your electricity consumption, including turning off lights when not in use, using LED bulbs, unplugging appliances and fixtures that don’t always require power, and being hot water-conscious (including washing your laundry with cold water).
These days, there are plenty of tools that can assist (and that can also help you organize your home or business better). The initial cost for these devices will quickly be made up in energy savings. In addition to that, they can also help simplify your life!
Smart Thermostats
Among the most popular “smart” gadgets, smart thermometers keep getting better and better. Heating and cooling your home is one of its greatest energy expenses, so this easy upgrade is well worth the cost. Smart thermometers will begin to learn your temperature preferences and adjust accordingly, factoring in the temperature and humidity outside as well. Lots of models can also track your cell phone and tell when you are headed home, turning up the heat for your arrival. They will also break down your usage into an easy-to-understand visual representation that will help you further understand how you can save.
Smart thermometers are great for business owners, too, as they can be programmed to reduce temperatures when the building is empty, but bring them back up again well before anyone comes back at work.
Light Occupancy Sensor Switches
Ideal for washrooms, laundry rooms and utility rooms, light occupancy sensor switches will sense when you are entering and leaving a room, shutting the lights on and off for you. They can also detect natural light, and will not turn on if there is enough sunlight coming through the windows.
Smart Surge Protectors
We always recommend people install surge protectors in their homes or businesses. Small electrical surges can happen dozens, or even hundreds, of times a day in a home or business, and slowly wear away at your electronics. Surge protectors stop the gush of electricity before it can reach the sensitive microprocessors found in many devices. Some smart surge protectors are designed specifically for energy-sucking entertainment systems, and will stop the flow of power to all devices in the system when the primary one is turned off, such as the television.
Smart Blinds
These are a great option for those who have homes with windows facing directly into the sun. Rather than turning up the air conditioning, smart blinds can help by automatically closing when the temperature reaches a certain level. They are generally run through an app, which you can also set to have your blinds open or close on a pre-set schedule.
Smart WiFi Switch
Smart WiFi switches can be run through an application downloaded to your tablet, phone or computer, or can even be controlled by your voice. You can turn devices on or off from anywhere, and also schedule specific times to power up or shut off. Smart WiFi switches can also be programmed to run lights and appliances. They can be especially useful for businesses by keeping networks securely locked down overnight and on weekends, greatly reducing the chances of hackers gaining access to your files and information.
Smart Outlets
There are lots of great options for power outlets these days that are not only attractive, but can also make your home or business more energy friendly. Smart outlets can be turned on or off manually or remotely using an app, and can also be paired with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home. These are a great option for those devices that you want to leave plugged in – if only to keep cords neatly out of the way – but that aren’t used that often.
Choose A-Star of Calgary for Your Electrician Needs
We at A-Star Electric are a group of certified journeyman or apprentice Calgary electricians that are committed to providing the very best in electrical service for your home or business. We offer electrical panel repairs and replacements, aluminum wiring repairs, wiring upgrades, lighting design and installation, electrical work for renovations and overhead line service. Contact us for more information, or if you would like us to perform an electrical safety inspection.
