Reducing energy costs with technology

What is smart-home technology?

Smart-home technology automates a home’s systems. It allows you to control heating, air conditioning, lighting, and even certain electrical appliances. Most of these settings can be adjusted remotely using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

This means you can adapt your home’s energy consumption to your real needs, whether you’re at home, at the office, or travelling abroad.

For lighting, you can turn your lights on or off or adjust their brightness based on the time of day or your presence. The result: reduced energy waste and improved comfort.

Used correctly, smart-home systems can generate home energy savings of 10% to 25%, depending on your devices and your consumption habits.

Good to know: Smart-home systems are designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Once installed, you can control them with just a few clicks.

Although often associated with energy savings, smart-home technology also enhances day-to-day safety and comfort. To learn more, read our guide Home automation and AI at home: Safety, comfort and energy savings.

Which smart-home devices should you choose?

If you don’t plan to “robotize” your entire home, several smart accessories can still simplify your life and help optimize your energy consumption. Here are the most common options and their benefits.

The smart thermostat: Your best ally for energy savings

A smart thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature in each room based on your lifestyle.

Cost: Varies from $100 to $300

Return on investment: With proper programming, you can save 10% to 20% on heating and about 15% on cooling.

The ENERGY STAR–certified energy monitor

How does an energy monitor work, and what are the benefits? An energy monitor features real-time energy consumption tracking and monitors the operating cost of your appliances. It is usually connected directly to the electrical panel or plugged into wall outlets. It helps you:

• Identify your most energy-hungry appliances
• Detect “phantom loads” (devices on standby that still consume electricity)
• Review your consumption history and peak usage periods
• Measure your carbon footprint

Some models can even alert you when an appliance is malfunctioning.

Cost (purchase + installation): Between $100 and $300

Energy performance: Up to 7% to 25% more efficient than a standard device

Solar power: An alternative technology

Is solar energy a good option for your home? That’s up to you, but it’s definitely worth getting information from a reliable specialist and calculating the installation cost versus potential savings.

Home solar power is free, renewable and non-polluting. How does it work? Panels installed on your roof or property convert sunlight into electricity.

In Quebec, solar power is still marginal because of the low cost of hydroelectricity. However, it can be ideal for powering an off-grid cottage power setup, a garage, or a shed.

Cost (purchase + installation): $10,000 to $23,000

Return on investment: Solar panels eventually pay for themselves over the long term

How can you reduce your electricity bill quickly?

In addition to smart-home technologies, a few practical actions can help you save energy at home:

• Replace incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs: Up to 80% savings
• Install a water-saving shower head: Up to $102 in yearly savings and 42,000 litres of water saved
• Use a shower timer to reduce hot-water use: Up to $70 per year for a family of four
• Install a drain-water heat-recovery unit: 20% to 40% savings
• Take advantage of Hydro-Québec’s dynamic pricing (Winter Credit, Flex-D): Up to 20% savings in winter
• Choose an ENERGY STAR water heater: About 30% less energy than a standard model

Good to know: Water heating represents 20% of the energy used in a Canadian household. Check your unit’s age—a leaking, outdated water heater could lead to an insurance coverage refusal from your home insurer.

Which apps can help you manage your energy consumption?

Some home energy management apps connected to energy monitors can help you track your consumption data and spending (including monthly bills):

• Homefriend (free): centralizes your energy bills and compares them with similar households
• Smappee ($): provides real-time monitoring of electricity, solar energy, gas and water usage via Wi-Fi
• Sense ($): shows your energy consumption in real time (requires a Sense or Wiser home energy monitor)
• EnergyCloud ($): compares your energy consumption with your past usage
• EcoSource ($): allows temperature control and energy monitoring through Smart-e