Save electricity with smart home systems in your home

What is smart home technology and why does it help save electricity?

Although sometimes the word 'domotics' (smart home technology) may seem like a technical term, alien to colloquial language, it really means 'automatic house'. The word comes from the Latin domus (house) combined with the suffix '-tic' (as in robotics or automatic).

It involves a whole set of technological systems designed to increase comfort and security in homes. Furthermore, with the right installation you can use smart home technology to save energy and be much more efficient.

The key lies in using resources better. Your home's lighting, air conditioning, hot water, every appliance – ultimately, they all cost money in the form of electricity and gas bills. What can you do to enjoy the same while paying less? Be efficient. And this is where technology intervenes: for example, programming the washing machine and dishwasher to turn on during the hours when electricity is cheapest.

How much can be saved with smart home technology?

Studies by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) suggest that smart home technology can save 39% on heating, 27% on hot water, 12% on appliances, 9% on lighting and 2% on air conditioning. For its part, the sector organisation Spanish Association of Domotics (CEDOM) maintains that the savings per household reach an average of 30%.

In Spain, it is estimated that 60% of newly built homes and 40% of existing homes are considering some smart home solution to save energy. This growth in the implementation of solutions is also closely linked to the fact that devices designed for the smart home are becoming increasingly affordable.

Smart home systems that help save electricity the most

Undoubtedly, smart home technology has become a key ally in reducing electricity consumption in the home. Thanks to intelligent systems that optimise the use of lighting, air conditioning and other equipment inside the house, it allows energy savings without sacrificing comfort. Below, we tell you which technologies are most effective for achieving this:

Smart lighting (LED + programmable bulbs)

Automatic lighting control is usually the gateway to the world of smart homes and energy efficiency. Smart bulbs that can be controlled from mobile phones, or motion detection systems, are also very useful for lighting more efficiently. If you forget to turn off the light, you can programme it to turn off when you leave the room, or when the house is empty.

There is the option of installing lighting systems that self-regulate based on sunlight (similar to mobile screen brightness in automatic mode). It is also possible to integrate the control of awnings, blinds and shutters to make the most of the sun.

"'Comfort and savings are two great reasons to bet on an automated home".

Smart thermostats

Climate control is one of the fields where smart home technology is proving very useful for promoting energy savings. With intelligent temperature regulation systems, you have the option to adapt both heating and air conditioning to your real needs. For example, you can adjust usage to the number of people, the rooms where they are located, their particularities or the exterior weather conditions.

Furthermore, if you want to get the most out of smart home technology for energy savings, you can add a system to detect the opening and closing of windows to prevent the loss of heat or cold.

Smart plugs

Smart plugs provide additional control and flexibility over your electrical devices. These connect to a conventional power socket, and allow you to control the switching on and off of electronic equipment linked to them remotely or automatically, such as the heating, computer, router, heater, among others.

You will be able to turn your appliances on and off even when you are away from home. They usually connect to a Wi-Fi network and can be controlled through a mobile application or voice commands if they are linked to virtual assistants.

Motion sensors

Motion sensors in smart home systems serve to turn on lights and devices only when they detect presence in a room, preventing them from remaining on when not needed. In this way, energy waste is reduced and significant savings are achieved on the electricity bill, contributing to the mission of having a more efficient and sustainable home.

So forget about manually turning lights on and off, technology adapts to your presence, offering you comfort effortlessly.

Automated blinds and shutters

Automated blinds and shutters are another intelligent solution for saving energy in the home through smart home technology. You can programme and adjust them according to the time of day to take advantage of natural light and regulate the interior temperature, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

By regulating the entry of heat or cold, the use of air conditioning and heating will decrease, optimising energy consumption. And the best thing is that you can programme or control them from your mobile, achieving a more comfortable and sustainable home without much effort.

Voice assistants

One of the easiest and most economical ways to implement smart home technology in a dwelling is through voice assistants. In this way, control of the smart home is simplified even further, and almost anyone can use it to save energy.

People with reduced mobility or vision problems can easily interact via voice with most systems designed for smart homes and energy saving.

It is estimated that almost 60% of Spaniards are already users of voice technology, both from smart speakers and from their smartphones.

Programmable and connected appliances

Smart home technology applied to energy saving is not always about complex systems. Often, with a programmable appliance, you can be more efficient and save on the electricity bill. Manual systems or those connected to mobile applications allow appliances to be activated to take advantage of cheaper electricity schedules.

For example, if you know at what time it is cheaper to put the washing machine on according to your contracted tariff, you can programme it to do the laundry at that time. Another example is robot vacuum cleaners, which can be controlled, and you can even select their route, from your mobile phone.

Smart home technology to save on heating and DHW (Domestic Hot Water)

Electric water heaters (cylinders), instantaneous water heaters and boilers are also appliances through which, thanks to smart home technology, we can save a lot of energy and be more efficient.

Many boilers and water heaters can heat on demand, be connected to a thermostat or even be operated remotely thanks to simple smart home systems. This last point is very interesting for being able to programme the heating to turn on at certain times of the day or to heat the interior of the house before arriving.

Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the heating to try to maintain a constant temperature while you are away from home, so that it later costs less energy (and money) to increase the temperature. Again, savings and comfort in the home are key to betting on smart home technology.

In what type of housing is smart home technology most noticeable?

The energy efficiency gain provided by smart home technology is not equal in all types of households; its impact varies according to the type of housing. Factors such as size, distribution and level of exposure to natural light influence how noticeable the efficiency and comfort provided by automation are. Below, we show you in which types of housing its benefits are most clearly perceived:

Flats with electric heating

Flats with electric heating benefit especially from smart home technology, and in Spain many households use it, especially in areas with cold climates. Heating accounts for one of the highest consumptions in a dwelling and, with it, a significant part of the electricity expense.

According to data from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), smart home technology can reduce heating consumption by up to 39% by regulating the temperature intelligently according to occupancy, time of day or external weather conditions.

This means that, in a flat with electric heating, smart home technology has a palpable impact by preventing the system from working when no one is home, or adjusting it by zones, thus reducing unnecessary consumption and achieving a lower bill amount.

Homes with solar panels

Households with solar panel installations have the advantage of producing part of their own electrical energy, reducing grid consumption. Continuing to optimise that use with smart home technology can multiply the benefits.

Smart home systems allow you to control the feed-in, prioritise the use of your own energy and optimise loads (washing machine, heating, etc.). This maximises installed profitability, reduces consumption from the conventional grid, and avoids wasting energy or throwing away unused surplus.

The surplus compensation mechanism (or net balance) that allows you to offset energy fed in with energy consumed is closely related to this type of intelligent management, and helps maximise the use of the energy your solar installation produces.

Second homes

Smart home technology in second homes facilitates remote control of lights, climate control and alarms. This prevents unnecessary consumption (paying for lights or heating left on unnecessarily) upon return.

For example, intelligent systems can put all equipment into 'eco mode' when the house is empty, avoiding standby consumption of appliances, climate control or lighting. Furthermore, by regulating climate control when there is little or no occupancy, and reactivating it before the arrival of the inhabitants, you can save on heating or air conditioning.

How much does it cost to install smart home systems to save electricity?

The cost of installing smart home technology in a home can vary greatly according to the level of automation, the technology employed or the scope:

• Basic systems (lighting, presence sensors, smart plugs or connected thermostats) can range between some €300, if dealing with individual devices or starter kits, and €2,500.
• A comprehensive domestic installation, including climate control, motorised blinds and sensors, with fully automated heating and air conditioning, with zonal management and advanced control, can be between €3,000 and €9,000. Or, it can even reach €15,000 in large homes and high-end KNX systems.
• In more robust systems, which integrate diverse devices (sensors, actuators, hubs), the intervention of a qualified installer also involves an additional cost, although it guarantees optimal and safe operation.

It should be noted that smart home technology does not always require complex building work, since many devices function wirelessly and can be integrated into existing installations. Furthermore, in some cases there may be public incentives or subsidies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes, which can help amortise part of the investment in smart home technology.

Smart home technology vs. manual saving habits

It is important to compare what smart home technology can contribute versus traditional energy saving habits:

Manual habits

These are everyday actions like turning off lights when leaving home, regulating the temperature manually or unplugging equipment on standby. These practices can mean significant savings if applied consciously, but require constant attention on the part of the occupants. Their effectiveness decreases if people forget, and they do not always achieve precise adjustments based on contextual variables (weather, actual occupancy, usage patterns).

Smart home technology

Automation allows the system to control climate control intelligently according to routines and the presence of people in the home. It turns off or reduces lighting and equipment exactly where and when it is not needed, without depending on the user's memory. It also helps adjust loads and consumption based on solar production, at the best times of the day, taking advantage of cheaper tariffs.

Smart home technology also allows for continuous monitoring. EMS (Energy Management) Systems offer real-time consumption data, allowing inefficient usage habits to be identified, and helping to adapt consumption patterns in order to optimise energy efficiency.

Those same data can help decide if it pays to continue with the current contract or if there is a better electricity tariff, according to your lifestyle. In this way, you will be able to know details about your consumption in real time and have personalised energy advice at hand to be able to put into practice the actions that will save you money on your bill.

In contrast, manual habits, although necessary, have their disadvantages: forgetfulness, thermal imbalances or activating devices at inappropriate times, lowering their effectiveness.

Smart home technology is an investment that transforms the energy management of the dwelling, especially in flats with electric heating, houses with solar panels, and second homes. But it must be kept in mind that this does not replace good habits; it enhances them, reducing the margin for error and making savings more consistent. It is a solid bet for improving efficiency in the home and a key tool for better controlling how you use electricity in your day-to-day life.