05. Apr 2024

Maximizing energy efficiency in your smart home by KNX

Maximizing energy efficiency in your smart home by KNX
Maximizing energy efficiency in your smart home by KNX

According to a research report by Eurostat, energy consumption has gone up by 6% in 2021 in the European Union. A surprising number, when you consider that energy management and sustainability have become hot topics. KNX is making efforts in optimizing our system and member products to provide a solution. In this article, we discuss the trends in energy usage in European households, as well as two major energy efficient benefits a KNX smart home offers.

Why focus on energy efficiency in your smart home?

Homeowners’ energy consumption increases by 6%

There are several reasons to choose more energy efficiency as a homeowner. The most obvious argument is minimizing your monthly energy bills. According to Eurostat, the energy use of households has gone up by 6% in 2021 compared to the year before. The most energy-consuming appliances are space heating (64.4%), water heating (14.5%), and lighting and electrical appliances (13.6%). Even though there are a lot of smart products and appliances that help manage and reduce energy use, homeowners don’t seem to be aware of their value. Or end-users simply don’t know about their existence.

The potential impact of climate change on your energy use

The same report states that there is an overall increase in energy consumption, but it is more prominent in terms of space cooling (or air conditioning), which has gone up by 10%, and space heating has risen by 7%. This trend shows that our current housings are struggling to support our needs for the perfect indoor climate, which is peculiar as households are investing in more sustainable design and structure for their homes, like double glazing, insulation and solar panels.

Perhaps our desire for the ideal indoor climate has a correlation with the unpredictable outdoor conditions. Climate change isn’t just about bad weather; it’s about extremes becoming more regular. Summers aren’t just hot, they are scorching, and rainfalls are becoming heavier. In that sense, it’s very plausible that we just want to create our little space with the perfect conditions. And sadly, that comes at a big financial cost.

Luckily, smart solutions and appliances could be the perfect companion for homeowners in search of affordable energy efficiency. Let’s find out, shall we?

KNX-approved solutions for smart energy management

The potential impact of climate change on your energy use

Solar panels, wind energy or battery storage: our primary energy source is often the first thing homeowners want to tackle on their way towards a more sustainable, beneficial lifestyle. Renewable energy is a great starting point, but did you know that smart technology could make your investment more profitable?

For example, when your solar panels generate excess electricity during peak sunlight hours, KNX can intelligently route surplus energy to power energy-intensive appliances or charge storage batteries. Conversely, during periods of low renewable energy production, KNX can prioritize energy-efficient operation or adjust energy consumption to minimize reliance on grid electricity. In the long run, the maximized energy management will optimize itself according to your routines while no energy will be lost. Win-win!

Monitor your devices and manage your household based on data

Which rooms, appliances or devices are energy-heavy? No clue? High time to learn about ‘energy monitoring’. This smart solution allows homeowners to identify which areas are wasteful with their energy by providing detailed reports, insights and data visualizations. This way, you can make informed decisions for your own household.

For instance, a KNX system can detect anomalies in energy consumption patterns, such as appliances consuming excessive power when not in use or lights being switched on in unoccupied rooms. By pinpointing these inefficiencies, homeowners can take corrective actions like scheduling automatic shutdowns or installing occupancy sensors to control lighting and heating more effectively.

Learn more about how KNX is leading the way in smart sustainable technology

Conclusion

Any homeowner benefits from an energy efficient home. Ecological and financial advantages go hand in hand with a correctly installed smart system. KNX Partners have followed rigorous mandatory training for installing all kinds of appliances. So whether you're looking to connect your energy source or wish to add a smart meter to your home, our certified professionals are happy to assist you in your automation journey.

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