The post Smart homes paving the way to a greener future appeared first on UK Construction Blog.

What if you could turn on the heating just by clapping your hands? What if you could get your smart assistant to order the weekly shop online for you? Nothing is out of the realm of possibility when it comes to the smart home.

About 2.2. million homes in the UK are considered to be ‘smart homes’ as they use integrated, smart devices that make life easier around the home and offer a peak user experience. Now, smart homes are tackling environmental responsibility with clever solutions that save money and resources.

Energy efficiency

Gone are the days when thermostats would monitor the temperature in your home; today, a variety of sensors measure the exact temperature of your home, so you know when and how much to heat it. Modern heating systems also make the whole process much more efficient by heating up your home with a remarkably small amount of energy.

Energy efficiency is often at the heart of the design process with regard to most new-build homes. Installed with technology that makes the most out of the energy available, these homes can save up to 30-40% of energy.

Renewable energy

You’ll often see smartphones with glossy solar panels attached to the roof. This is a great way to reduce our impact on the environment and to monitor how much energy we are using. With a limited amount of energy available, you’ll be much more mindful about which devices you use and for how long.

Solar panels also give you tips on how you can save energy. Whether it’s turning off devices completely, watching TV outside of peak electricity hours or only ironing clothes that absolutely need to be ironed, renewable energy devices are a great way to keep your costs to a minimum.

Smart car charging

From June 2022, all new homes and buildings in England have to come with charging points for electric cars. This is because the UK is aiming to become net zero by 2050, and such measures have been introduced to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and reduce air pollution.

By making it so convenient for EV owners to charge their cars, the government hopes this will see an increase in EV sales. Soon, such chargers will be the difference between taking a property or leaving it. As sales of EVs continue to rise, UK regulations are making it easier than ever to make the switch.

Sustainable infrastructure

Smart homes will also prioritise sustainability when it comes to building homes. This involves everything from sustainable design, eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, waste reduction, water retention and indoor air quality. Working together, these principles will create greener, smarter houses for the future.