6 High Tech Features for an Eco-Friendly Home

Entering a new year inspires us to reflect on the past year and think about what changes we want to make going forward. And if you’ve been paying even an iota of attention to the news, you know that we’re whittling away at the earth and her resources like we haven’t a care in the world (pun not intended!).

We could all do with some intentionality toward being more environmentally friendly every day. If you’re a homeowner or plan to become one, there are a plenty of things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly —and even better, most involve the latest in cool tech.

Appliances

A new home often means new appliances, but even current homeowners that are due for an upgrade can take advantage of the newest models. Energy-efficient dishwashers, washing machines and dryers are great ways to save water and electricity while you’re completing typical home chores, not to mention putting a little money back in your pocket. An eco-friendly fridge is another way to passively save a bit of cash while being conscientious of the environment.

Showerheads

When it comes to showerheads, you have plenty of energy-saving options that don’t require you to sacrifice any amount of luxury. Go with a low-flow showerhead that works with natural minerals to exfoliate and heal your skin, or another eco-friendly option with the waterfall effect that you’ve been dreaming of.

General practices like not letting the shower run for 10 minutes before you get in, turning off the sink while brushing your teeth and being more conscientious of how much water overall you’re using are great starting points for living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Smart Thermostats

There are several reasons smart thermostats have become staples in homes. The ease of being able to control your thermostat from your phone —no more trekking up and down stairs when it gets too cold or warm —means that if you’ve stepped away for a few hours and accidentally left the heat on, you can easily switch it off. Or vice versa: If the heat was already off, you can have your home toasty when you arrive.

If you don’t have — or don’t want to invest in — something like a Nest or Ecobee thermostat, even using the timer feature that most thermostats are equipped with can help you take advantage of savings.

Power Strips and Outlets

Want to protect your finicky devices from power surges without having to completely power them down each time? Grab energy-saving power strips and outlets to prevent plugged-in devices from drawing power when in idle mode, as well as to streamline charge times. In either situation, less power is being used, which saves you money while also cutting back on excess energy use.

Solar Panel Everything

If you want to take advantage of renewable energy, think about installing solar panels. You might be eligible for a tax benefit for purchasing and installing the panels on your home, and you’ll be increasing resale value should you choose to move in the future.

Of course, the immediate benefit is that you will greatly reduce your electric bills — with the goal of eventually eliminating them, if your home is powered 100 percent on solar energy.

Invest in a Smart Speaker

Believe it or not, smart assistant devices like Google Home or Amazon Alexa are good for more than just emergency dance parties and cheesy jokes (speaking of: What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!).

You can also use these devices to set timers, control appliances, dim or turn off lights and — perhaps most relevant to this article —run an energy report! You can get a breakdown of where and how energy is being used in your home so that you can adjust your lifestyle to better support the environment.

While these six categories are by no means a comprehensive list of all the steps you can take toward being more energy efficient, each isa great place to start. Head over to NewHomeSourcefor the latest listings of high tech and eco-friendly homes waiting for you.