Just a decade ago, the concept of a smart home was considered a novelty. Fast forward to today, and smart homes have become a booming industry, expected to reach a market value of 53.45 billion by 2022[^1^]. However, as the popularity of smart homes continues to rise, many are asking if these advancements can be harnessed for a greater cause.
With climate change being a pressing global issue, industries worldwide are joining forces to combat the crisis. The smart home industry is no exception. Fortunately, modern smart homes are now more eco-friendly and energy-efficient than ever before. Their advanced technologies have the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
The Evolution of Smart Homes and Green Technology
Smart homes have come a long way from being mere conveniences and security enhancements[^2^]. Today, they are sophisticated home operating systems equipped with advanced sensing, control, automation, integration, and analytics tools. One notable example is Samsung SmartThings, a leading IoT and smart home automation platform with over 70 million active users. SmartThings can connect, control, and automate over 5,000 different smart devices from various manufacturers, creating a seamless smart home ecosystem[^2^].
While energy consumption reduction in homes is not a new concept, innovative technologies have revolutionized the way consumers and developers approach it. Early efforts focused on programmable thermostats, which allowed homeowners to adjust the temperature based on a schedule. Though this helped reduce energy consumption while away, the capabilities were limited. Smart thermostats later emerged, enabling users to easily set schedules via smartphone apps. As work schedules varied, geofencing, powered by GPS, provided a more flexible way to lower energy consumption based on presence or absence in the home[^3^].
Realizing the potential of smart technology, experts explored new avenues for conservation and cost savings by connecting homes to utilities, creating a smarter grid. With rebates reducing costs for homeowners, smart thermostats gained traction, and utilities were able to cut energy consumption, especially during peak demand. These initiatives also allowed for innovative rate programs that lowered bills for homeowners. Building on these successes, researchers have continued to seek further opportunities for home energy savings[^3^].
Embracing Smart Home Energy Management
The groundwork was laid for the next big evolution: smart home energy management. Unlike individual devices like thermostats, a smart home system can connect with all energy-consuming systems in a house, maximizing energy savings. In a 2017 study by Lockheed Martin Energy, researchers found that a typical single-family home could reduce energy consumption by up to 16% of their average baseline by controlling HVAC, lighting, and smart outlets based on occupancy[^4^]. This approach, alongside geofencing and occupancy sensors, has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions by 1 metric ton per year per household, contributing significantly to addressing climate change. Moreover, the study did not even include smart appliances or water heating, which could further enhance energy savings[^4^].
A New Solution in Smart Home Energy Management
This summer, Samsung SmartThings introduces SmartThings Energy—a game-changing era for smart home energy management. Leveraging the powerful SmartThings platform, SmartThings Energy empowers consumers to monitor and control their energy usage while taking actions that generate significant environmental savings[^5^].
Through advanced automation capabilities, SmartThings Energy enables consumers to automatically reduce energy consumption across key systems such as HVAC, appliances, lighting, and any device plugged into a smart outlet. By connecting to utility systems via the SmartThings cloud, users can monitor energy usage, access consumption data, and receive energy-saving notifications. SmartThings Energy provides comprehensive real-time energy consumption data, allowing users to tackle challenges related to major energy-consuming appliances head-on, like air conditioners and home appliances[^5^].
While SmartThings Energy alone cannot solve the climate crisis, incremental advances like this are crucial in driving a more sustainable future. It is imperative that we embrace and support these advancements, aiming for a brighter and greener tomorrow.