The energy that individuals use on a daily basis has an effect on the monetary as well as environmental costs. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for nearly two-thirds or 63.3% of the world’s electricity, which implies the process of generating electricity is causing air pollution from burning fossil fuels. Electricity prices are varying across countries and almost every year there is an increase in electricity tariffs. The financial cost of electricity is found to force people to make a tough decision between buying food or staying warm during winter months in the UK. 

Smart home energy management could be a solution for reducing energy consumption that aims to lower energy bills and preserve the environment. Smart home energy management, or as known as smart home automation, utilizes internet-enabled devices to remotely and mechanically control appliances like lighting, heating, and security systems in and around a house.   

The technology is using algorithms that enable appliances to be smart enough to record and analyze electrical usage and offer solutions for reducing energy consumption. For example, the system found out that during certain times the appliances are less active, during these times the system will automatically turn off the appliances to prevent wasting electricity on appliances in standby mode.  

In an article, a researcher mentioned that “smart home technology, also often referred to as home automation or domotics (from the Latin domus meaning home), provides homeowners security, comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency by allowing them to control smart devices, often by a smart home app on their smartphone or other networked devices.”   

How to reduce energy consumption?

The primary cause of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere is the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), the higher the world temperature will rise. Additionally, prolonged exposure to elevated particle pollution will contribute to reduced respiratory function. Making better choices in household energy consumption will save energy for the purpose of mitigating climate change and preserving a healthier environment. Here are some energy-saving tips for using smart home energy management systems:

Elevate your home with a smart lighting system

Most smart lighting systems use LED (light emitting diodes) which consumes the least amount of electricity compared to other types of lighting such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps. A study showed that LED uses the least amount of electricity with its operational cost being 6.46 times lesser than incandescent bulbs.   

Smart lighting uses a sensor or remote control to switch lights on and off. Movement sensor enables the light to automatically turn on, for instance in front of an entrance or stairways. Therefore, people do not need extra time to manually turn on and off a light; also no need to worry about forgetting to turn off the light. Some smart lighting also has a light sensor that enables it to automatically turn off when there is daylight.   

Moreover, people could also control the light from a smartphone which could be very convenient. For example, turning off the lights in the bed without having to get off and walk to the switch. Moreover, some lights also have a dimming function which could save electricity, as well as adjust to the individual’s needs.  

Utilize smart power strips

The use of a smart power strip allows users to control the flow of electricity and track their energy usage through a smartphone app. People frequently charge their electronics, and occasionally they leave them plugged in all the time. However, plugged chargers wasted 55% of the total energy use. Unused devices stealthily consume electricity when they are plugged in or in standby mode.   

Smart power strips could automatically turn off the electricity when it detects the appliances are no longer plugged or people manually turn it off through an app on their phone. Moreover, smart power strips track energy use and provide a report that enables its user to analyze their electricity consumption and find ways to save energy.    

Install smart thermostats

The thermostat controls the heating and cooling system to work when a room comes to a certain temperature, therefore, the air conditioner does not work at full power all the time to save energy.   

Smart thermostats could be controlled remotely through other smart devices and people could schedule the temperatures based on the time in advance.  In addition, some smart thermostats also have sensors to detect occupancy, so the air conditioner will not use much energy when there is no one in the room.   

Temperature setback is one of the features of smart thermostats that will activate the air conditioner when the temperature has gone lower or higher by certain degrees. A study from 40 cities in the US found that a 2°C temperature setback during the occupied period might result in an extra 20% reduction in energy used for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner (HVAC), and in certain severe cases, a 40% reduction. 

Investing in smart home energy management

As mentioned, each smart appliance is proven to reduce energy use. However, buying and installing smart appliances may require a significant cost. Smart appliances and stable internet connection are essential investments in order to have energy use automation at home.   

Research conducted in Germany found that the investment cost of 528.35€ for a thermostat, lamp, hub, and motion and light sensors resulted in 14,222 kWh of annual energy saving. The internal rate of return with a payback period of 2.5 months demonstrated that energy savings from home automation effectively lead to highly profitable total investments. However, the same experiment in Algeria resulted in 11,020 kWh and one year and nine months payback period.   

The results are sensitive to geographical factors, energy policy, tax, and energy prices. Therefore, when one is interested in investing in smart home energy management, it is important to find out about energy prices and benchmark with other homeowners that use energy automation in the same country or city. 

In conclusion

Smart home energy management has proven to be effective in lowering energy use which is beneficial for household expenditure and the environment. There are also more benefits such as being able to control electronic devices remotely and track energy consumption. However, the cost of adopting an energy automation system could significantly affect one’s decision. Energy policy, tax, and prices should be taken into consideration before investing.

To take your reading on energy management further, visit the Household Management Science Labs. The lab produces courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other learning materials using the research of the Institute for Life Management Science. Check out the Household Management Science Labs today.

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Physical and psychological effects of falling

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, falling is the largest contributor to unintentional home injuries with a total of 224,000 hospitalizations and 5,300 deaths in 2019-2020.

Experiencing falling not only affects physical health but mental health as well. Both the shock and the pain may bring long-lasting psychological impacts.

Ptophobia, an intense Fear of Falling (FoF), was found as a result of accidental falls. FoF is a psychological problem that could decrease one’s physical functions due to anxiety when standing and walking. Experiencing the effects of a fall injury contributes to the development of FoF which may appear to minimize the occurrence of falls by avoiding dangerous activities. However, in the long run, FoF may limit individuals’ capacity to conduct daily activities such as mobility, self-care, and housework, especially for older people. Previous falls and FoF create a vicious loop that forecasts and increases the likelihood of future falls due to decreased physical function. Therefore, home safety measures are important to minimize the risks of falling. 

Ways to lessen falling accidents

The physical environment factor was found to be associated with FoF. A study by Lee et al. (2018) identified if the respondents felt uncomfortable with various living areas such as the living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, stairs, entrance, and hallways. The result of the study showed that the respondents who reported feeling more discomfort in their environment also reported having more FoF. Thus, the management of various falling hazards is important to create a safe and comfortable environment. Here are general tips on how to create a safe home environment:

Remove items a person could trip over

Low furniture and unorganized cords are home hazards that can cause tripping. If low furniture is needed, it should be placed on the sides near the walls. Avoid having cords scattered through the floor. Any cable on the floor should be tied up or clipped to the walls. Clutters are also fall hazards that need to be immediately removed. Having a tidy home provides not only comfort but also safety for the household members.

Have adequate lights at home to improve visibility at night

Being able to see if there is a higher or uneven surface is essential to preventing falling as poor visibility could increase the fear of falling. Keep the light switch easily accessible if the house is usually completely dark during sleep time. If there is an elderly in the house, it is recommended to keep a lamp on throughout the night. To save energy, LED lamps are recommended because they use the least amount of electricity.

Have non-slip mats and rugs

Rugs provide both decorative and comfort purposes. Fluffy rugs under the bed or sofa provide comfort when your feet are on them, but increase the risk of falling if they are slippery. Every rug in the house should have a non-slip bottom made from rubber or latex. 

Wet surfaces are sometimes unavoidable, especially in the bathroom. Non-slip, quick-drying mats should always be available. Therefore, the feet would not spread moisture to other areas and minimize the risk of slipping.

What to do when someone falls?

Preventive measures should always be taken, but sometimes, accidents do happen. Another strategy is to be prepared by knowing what should be done when a person has experienced a fall injury.  Here are the steps that should be done when one falls: 

1. Take time to check for injuries. Identify if there is any pain in a certain area or have difficulty staying alert. 
2. If it is possible to stand up, try to rise gradually after falling:
   • Turn onto one side and rest for a few seconds.
   • Push the body upright, sit on the side, and remain still for a while.
   • Try to get on your hands and knees, then crawl to some solid furniture where you can stand up with support.
   • To get up, try kneeling and placing both hands on a piece of furniture.
   • If there is nothing to hold on to, keep trying to stand up as slowly as you can.
3. After being in a standing position, wait a bit before moving forward to prevent a head rush or being disoriented which could lead to repetitive falls.
4. Ask for help if getting up is not an option. Be sure to save or memorize emergency phone numbers. Try to be as warm, hydrated, and alert as possible while waiting for help.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, a home should be a comfortable space where the owner feels safe. There are hazards everywhere and can sometimes remain hidden. Stairs and clutter on the floor increase the risk of falling. The children and the elderly especially need extra attention due to their limited physical function and awareness of their surroundings. Preventive measures and preparedness are the keys to lowering the risks of fall accidents as well as preventing the fear of falling.

For more home safety tips and tricks, visit the Household Management Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, videos, podcasts, and many others. Check out the Household Management Science Labs today.

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