This smart tech will save you money - and time

Data driven Brits spend the equivalent of a whole week every year tracking and analysing their behaviour, according to new research.

We have an average of six apps or tracking tools each, measuring everything from steps to REM sleep, and spend 30 minutes every day crunching the numbers. Steps and movement (51%), fitness (39%) and heart rate (34%) were named as the top three checked most regularly.

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But despite the obsession with all things tracking, Brits are still in the dark about energy use at home. Over three quarters (76%) admit they haven’t the foggiest how much energy they use at home, and have no understanding of how much it costs or how it could be impacting the environment.

When asked about the area of their life they feel they know the most about, weight (36%), sleep (34%), steps and movement (33%) and finances (33%) all far outscored energy usage (14%). Four in 10 (40%) admitted it is the part of their behaviour they know the least about.

In fact, over half (59%) do not know how to track their energy usage at all, and 50% said they will just pay their gas and electricity bill without bothering to investigate it further.

How to save money (and time) using tech

In response to the research, Smart Energy GB, the campaign for a smarter Britain, has unveiled a list of ‘smart tech’ that could save you time and money. Introducing such devices within your home can help to cut down your carbon footprint.

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Smart plug – Smart plugs allow you to operate home and electrical appliances, and even your heating by using your devices to turn them on and off even when you’re not at home. When connected to a smart home hub such as Alexa or Google Home you can even use your voice to turn plugs on and off

Smart thermostat – A Nest thermostat allows you to take control of your heating or hot water from anywhere in just a few taps. This cuts down on wasted energy and could have a significant impact on your bills

Smart kettle – The most efficient way to make a cuppa, an iKettle can be turned on via an app when you’re nearing home, meaning the water is boiled and ready on arrival. And if that’s not enough, water in a smart kettle stays warm for up to an hour, negating the need for double boiling

Smart meter – Smart meters are the foundation of a smart energy system, which will help GB to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and cut down on energy waste – a win, win for the environment and your wallet.

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Smart meters help households to become more aware of their energy use via portable in-home displays that show how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing in near real time

Wi-Fi smart bulb – Smart bulbs can be connected to a smart home assistant and turned on or off at the click of a button or via voice command. They use less energy, cutting down on your carbon footprint and energy bills

Video doorbells – A Ring doorbell with motion activated sensors, two-way talk and ‘smart security’ means you never have to miss a delivery, and can easily spot when someone might be sneaking around

Smart speakers – With the meteoric rise of the likes of Google Home and Alexa it’s now possible to play music, control your smart home, check information, news, weather and more just by using your voice. Some models can even connect up to lights and thermostats around the house

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Smart water controller – Small but highly effective, the Eve Aqua is a discrete tap attachment that can be programmed to turn on or off at pre-disposed times, making worrying about finding time to water the grass a thing of the past. It also helps to control the amount of water you use, and can be controlled by iPhones, iPads or to an app online

Smart washing machines – Using smart technology and a Wi-Fi enabled app, a Bosch Home Connect can now suggest the most appropriate cycle for your load, and even tell you if there is an item that should come out and be washed differently

One of the easiest ways to reduce energy waste at home, and nationally, is to get a smart meter installed. The data that smart meters are able to generate allows our energy system to understand how much is being used, when and where. This reduces our carbon footprint and contributes to the ongoing battle against climate change.

To find out more visit smartenergygb.org

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