Smart Homes and their Impact on the Climate

Climate change is real and no matter how much we choose to deny the impacts our actions are having on our environment, the truth is that everyone is impacting the environment and unless we change our habits and lifestyles, we will destroy the earth. The way we live our lives on a daily basis has a very big impact on our carbon footprint. Generally speaking, in Pakistan, we hardly find people who make a conscious effort to reduce their impact on the environment. However, since this has become the need of the hour, many organizations are trying to convince people into becoming more responsible and aware regarding climate change. Investing in smarter technological devices and appliances is one way in which we can reduce our carbon emissions.

Smart homes not only provide us with a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle, but they also make sure that we act as responsible citizens of the world and play our part in the reduction of carbon emissions and eliminate unnecessary wastage from our end. The environmental benefits of a smart home are numerous and the overall impact it has on the environment is positively great.

For instance, the main feature of smart homes is sensors. From motion sensors to leak sensors, these smart technologies can make sure that there is absolutely no wastage of any sort from your house. If there is a water leak, a sensor will notice it much before it will ever become visible to the naked eye thus saving you the cost of maintenance while preventing the wastage of tons of gallons of water. Motion sensors can easily switch lights on and off thus saving electricity in many ways.

Irrigation is yet another area where a lot of water is wasted. However, a study has proven that smart irrigation can save up to 30-50 percent of the water that is normally wasted in conventional irrigation systems. This level of saving water can contribute significantly to an improvement in the overall environment.

Smart lighting systems aren’t only efficient because of automation and remote control of the lights. In fact, they are better than conventional bulbs because they are LED bulbs. These bulbs are completely mercury-free and don’t contain this hazardous substance. On top of that, automation along with the help of sensors allows electricity to be saved in a number of ways.

Temperature regulation is another way in which smart homes save electricity. Smart temperature regulation systems can sense if you have left a door open which automatically leads to the AC or heater of the room being powered off in order to avoid the wastage of electricity. Similarly, you can set the thermostat of your house on the basis of weekdays vs weekends and can also control these systems via mobile phone.

In short, home automation takes you one step closer to saving the earth by controlling your carbon footprint and can make you a responsible citizen. Not only will you be living your life in comfort and peace but you will also live your life knowing you’re playing your part in conserving the environment.

Smart Homes; A Solution for the Elderly Living Alone

Overseas Pakistanis often long to come back home to their motherland but the fast-paced life, the pressure of providing for their families, and fulfilling all the requirements of life leave them working hard abroad for most of their lives. However, when the children have settled, and they have retired, they once again look forward to fulfilling their dream of owning a house. However, in Pakistan, older people often have to depend upon their families to take care of them in old age since our homes are simply not well equipped enough to facilitate the elderly. This, however, is where home automation comes in. With the help of smart technology, the automation of homes can enable the elderly to live on their own without being dependent on anyone.

Smart homes offer the ideal facilities that older people need to facilitate them. They no longer have to rely on domestic staff and be vulnerable. With complete home automation, they will always be able to stay in contact with their families in case of an emergency. Motion sensor lights can allow them to not trip and fall just because the room was dark. Round the clock security means they don’t have to worry about hiring a guard. There are simply countless benefits that smart homes have for the elderly.

For example, if an elderly couple wants, they can give their children access to security cameras installed in the house. That way, no matter how far away their children may be, they will always be able to keep a check on their parents’ security and safety. In fact, the security systems can be linked to the nearest police station to ensure that the house and its residents are secure at all times.

Very often, elderly couples face difficulties maintaining the temperature of the house. With smart technology, the thermostat can be set and the ACs and heaters can be automatically programmed to switch on and off without someone having to get up to do it. They can also be controlled via mobile phone thus making them highly accessible without having to put in too much effort.

A lot of elderly people require house help to keep a check at the main gate but with automatic gates, they simply need to press a button to let themselves or their guests in at any time. This also gives them full control over who enters the house thus making them protected from planned robberies which domestic staff members are also a part of.

Companies such as Purus hi-tech offer a range of home automation solutions to their clients and can easily help the elderly to take care of themselves while living alone. Thanks to home automation technology, people no longer have to give up their dreams of enjoying their post-retirement lives in Pakistan just because there is nobody to take care of them. In fact, now even more overseas Pakistanis can work towards this goal and can eventually come back to their motherland to enjoy their old age in peace.

Reduced Energy Costs with Home Automation

There is no inherent parallel match to home automation technologies, the utility may be infused either in the West or the East. Over the years it has been made immensely clear that people seldom understand and comprehend the advanced saving techniques before installing a home automation system. Home automation systems can gladly reduce the energy expenses of a household in addition to further lowering down the carbon footprint. Home automation consists of a number of products that can help you manage that.

Reducing the Standby Energy Use at Home

Conventionally speaking, in normal and traditional households devices are unplugged if they are not serving a purpose momentarily. But there may be instances when due to an increased level of activity and commitment an individual may forget to do so. On average such usage accounts for up to 15 percent of the monthly electricity bill. Home automation without further due helps manage that. By installing home automation the switchboard can be regulated as per need and convenience and withdraw the standby modes.

Reduced Heating and Cooling Costs

In normal households, it is quite a task to draw aside the curtains in the morning. But for a larger house or a bigger living space, it can be a major task to handle. Home automation can help avoid that by automatic integration. The purpose can be instilled through the application from anywhere in the house. Such activity can lower the cooling and heating costs for a household in summers. As per need, the motorized electric curtains can help save energy usage in a well functionally integrated smart home.

Reduced Energy Usage and Monitoring with Solar Panels

The appliances in a household that take up most part of the energy can be automatically handled where they are allowed to function during the daytime. It is during that time of the day that there is an increased production of energy. Such a system can help monitor appliances that take up most part of the energy and help schedule them during peak hours of energy production.