If you’re like me, you remember your parents tirelessly patrolling the house, turning down thermostats, turning off lights, and unplugging unused appliances. Thinking about it now, it kind of makes them the first-generation version of a home energy management system. And while we were just learning about climate change back then, their efforts reduced utility bills and helped minimize environmental impact.

Fast forward to today. We now know a lot more about sustainability and climate change and are witnessing its severe and devastating effects on our environment. We face rising electrical costs, power outages, extreme weather events, and uncertainty about an all-electric future. And today, U.S. households emit over 5 gigatons of CO₂ annually, amounting to 20% of all emissions.

If you’re a homeowner, a home builder, or an electrical installer, these numbers represent an opportunity for change – a chance to be less reliant on the grid, take control of our energy costs, and make a huge impact on a sustainable future.

Smart homes are growing up

Thankfully, today’s technology makes it easier than ever to manage our energy use. Most homeowners already have at least one smart device, and some have data-connected equipment to improve home functionality. By 2026, there will be nearly 2 billion connected devices in our homes.

That’s a big number – and it includes devices like smart lighting, water meters, thermostats, refrigerators, and air conditioners. With so many different devices available, managing, monitoring, and controlling it all seems very unwieldy. We just need the right technology platform to make our homes an effective part of the solution – a unified, easy-to-use, intuitive energy management and control system that provides real-time awareness and automates savings.

It is time to reimagine home energy management

Thankfully, with so much intelligent technology emerging, there are now apps that integrate and orchestrate a home’s energy sources – like solar, battery backup, electric vehicle charging and power from the utility. With embedded intelligence, this technology makes reducing your energy use and your energy bill, simpler than ever. Imagine an app that knows what to power, and when, ensuring you’re always using the cost-efficient source available. And, instead of using a different app for your solar, your EV, your battery, and your connected switches, you can manage them all from one consolidated app.

Power through outages and extend available backup power

Eventually, the power will go out. Smart backup systems allow you to choose what to power, and when, to make the most of your battery runtime. The system can automatically detect the power your appliances and circuits use and interconnects your energy sources to the grid. You can see in real-time how your choice impacts the runtime of the battery. For example, you can see how much battery time is reduced by running AC during an outage.

This gives homeowners a level of energy intelligence and flexibility not seen before.

Optimize your energy consumption

Time-of-use rates are much more common today – a smart energy management system will help you reduce your electricity use during peak rates by doing things like shifting EV charging to after peak hours, when power is cheaper. While you’re away, the system shuts off unnecessary circuits and outlets, so your home uses minimal energy and helps reduce your electricity bill. It can even make money from the utility and contribute to making your home more sustainable.  

Avoid unexpected (and expensive) service upgrades

As we trend toward electrifying our homes, many of us may require a costly electrical service upgrade from the utility. For instance, if you install a heat pump or an EV charger, that increased electrical draw may push your panel past its allowable limit. With a smart electrical panel, you can minimize the need for a service upgrade. Why? Because smart panels can prioritize and schedule usage – EVs, heat pumps, ranges, and water heaters, for example – to help ensure your electrical consumption stays within its power limits.

The opportunity to make a difference is here

Renewable energy costs have declined significantly over the past decade and are more competitive than fossil fuels. Government tax credits, rebates, and discounts make smart, sustainable home technologies accessible to everyone, especially lower- and middle-income households, providing substantial savings on sustainable home improvements. This includes electric vehicle purchases, installing solar and battery storage systems and upgrading electrical panels.

As technology and government funding unite, we are in an excellent position to reduce our homes’ emissions and contribute to fighting climate change while lowering our electricity bills.

This article appeared in Schneider Electric and has been published here with permission.