Date: 29/05/2016

IOT powered smart home can save 10% electric power consumption

Smart home is not only about making home secure and automated, its also about saving energy by switching on and switching off of various appliances at home as per the need of home occupants using IOT enabled systems.

A smart home otherwise can be also called as automated home by using Internet of things (IoT) technology, can save 10% of electric power consumption, according to a study by U.S.-based Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which was earlier known as consumer Electronics Association, the industry body which conducts world-famous Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas U.S.

Home Automation Technology can switch on and switch off home appliances by monitoring temperature presence of people, and also safety-related conditions. A good example is Smart thermostats can learn when specific rooms in a home do and do not need conditioning to save energy without sacrificing comfort. When all such devices work holistically they can be even more efficient.

"This research proves the innovation consumer technology delivers into our hands and homes through the Internet of Things can significantly reduce our carbon footprint - whether that's the household energy we use on our own or the carbon emissions our country produces," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. "With the touch of a screen or button, we can control and manage our homes more easily and effectively than ever - from virtually anywhere in the world - and enjoy all the cost savings and environmental benefits consumer technology offers."

CTA finds in its study the overall U.S. technical energy savings potential from several individual approaches ranges from 0.3 to 1.1 quadrillion BTUs (quads) of primary energy consumption, or from one to five percent of total residential primary energy consumption.

Smart home/ Home automation also helps utility companies to respond to demand in a better way.

Although consumers are buying smart blinds, thermostats and light fixtures for the sake of convenience, security and/or entertainment., the benefit also lies in saving power and other utility consumption.

The study was conducted by the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE and commissioned by CTA.
CTA's website GreenerGadgets.org helps consumers to calculate their tech devices' approximate home energy usage and find tips to help reduce their energy costs.
Author: Srinivasa Reddy N
Author: Srinivasa Reddy N