Blog Post: 10 Easy Ways to Save Energy This Winter with Smart Home Automation

Winter is here, and with it comes higher heating bills and shorter days. But don’t worry—keeping your home cozy doesn’t have to cost a fortune or hurt the environment. With the right smart home automation, you can save energy, reduce costs, and live more sustainably, all while staying comfortable. At PM Wyre, we specialize in making smart home technology work for you. Here are 10 simple tips to help you stay eco-friendly and warm this winter.

1. Keep the Heat In with Automated Shades

Your windows are sneaky energy thieves! They’re responsible for a lot of heat loss, but automated shades can help keep the warmth inside.

• Tip: Schedule your shades to lower at night to trap heat and raise them during the day to soak up the sun’s natural warmth.

Need ideas? Check out www.pmwyre.com or Burlington Blinds for a great selection of energy-saving window coverings. Not only will you save on heating, but your home will look stylish too!

2. Stay Warm, Not Wasteful, with Smart Thermostats

Did you know that lowering your thermostat by just one degree can save up to 10% on heating costs? Smart thermostats, like those from Crestron or Control4, make it super easy.

• Tip: Program your thermostat to lower the heat at night or when you’re out, and let it warm back up before you get home.
• Bonus: Use zone heating to focus on the rooms you actually use instead of heating your whole house.

3. Light Up Smartly with Automated Lighting

Dark winter evenings don’t have to mean high energy bills. Smart lighting can make sure your home stays lit only when needed.

• Tip: Motion sensors are a lifesaver, turning off lights when a room is empty.
• Pro Tip: Dim your lights during the evening—it’s cozy, relaxing, and energy-efficient.

Pairing automated lights with shades and thermostats is like having a personal energy-saving assistant at home!

4. Save Energy with One-Touch Scenes and Schedules

Imagine being able to set the perfect mood for any time of day with just one button. That’s the magic of one-touch scenes and automatic schedules!

• Good Morning Scene: Wake up to shades that let in natural light, a thermostat that warms the house, and lights that gently brighten your morning.
• Good Night Scene: Lower the thermostat, close the shades, and turn off all unnecessary lights with one tap.
• Away Scene: Heading out? Lower the heat, close the shades, and turn off unused devices automatically.
• Welcome Home Scene: Walk into a warm, well-lit home without wasting energy all day.

These scenes aren’t just convenient—they’re your secret weapon for cutting energy use without even thinking about it.

5. Unplug and Automate to Save on Phantom Power

Do you know what phantom power is? It’s when devices like TVs, game consoles, or chargers use electricity even when they’re off. Yikes!

• Tip: Use smart plugs to schedule these devices to turn off automatically.
• Extra Eco Tip: Unplug rarely used items like holiday lights or spare appliances to cut back even more.

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to saving energy and being kinder to the planet.

6. Stop Winter Water Woes with Smart Leak Detection

Frozen pipes and leaks can cause a lot of headaches (and waste a ton of water). Smart security systems with leak detection can keep your home safe.

• Tip: Install smart water sensors in areas like basements, under sinks, or near water heaters. If there’s a leak, you’ll get an instant alert.
• Pro Move: Pair leak sensors with smart shutoff valves to stop water flow automatically before it becomes a disaster.

It’s peace of mind and a big step toward conserving water in your home.

7. Keep Humidity in Check for Comfort and Savings

Dry winter air can make your home feel colder than it actually is. Keeping humidity at the right level can help.

• Tip: Use automated humidifiers and dehumidifiers to keep your home balanced, so you can stay cozy without cranking the heat.

When your home feels just right, you can save energy and stay comfortable all winter long.

8. Heat Smarter with Zone Heating – this is kind of a duplicate, maybe delete

Why heat your entire house when you’re only using a couple of rooms? Smart zone heating is the answer.

• Tip: Set different temperatures for different rooms based on how you use them.

You’ll stay warm where it matters and cut down on wasted energy everywhere else.

9. Run Appliances During Off-Peak Hours

Did you know electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours in many areas? Smart home systems make it easy to take advantage of these savings.

• Tip: Schedule your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer to run overnight or during off-peak times.

It’s a simple way to save money and reduce stress on the power grid.

10. Stay Connected with Remote Monitoring

Traveling or just out and about? With remote monitoring, you’re always in control of your home’s energy use.

• Tip: Use your smart home system to check in, adjust the thermostat, turn off lights, or even track your energy usage in real-time.

You’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is running efficiently—even when you’re not there.

Why Choose PM Wyre for Your Energy-Saving Solutions?

At PM Wyre, we’re passionate about helping you create a home that’s smarter, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly. From automated shades to smart thermostats, we’ll design a system tailored to your needs, helping you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Let’s make this winter your most energy-efficient one yet. Contact us today to get started!