Today’s technology and numerous at-home gadgets offer seniors multiple ways to live a safer, more enjoyable, connected, and less expensive life. Whether it’s energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, cost-saving LED lighting solutions, smart plugs, or even smart home hubs, all provide seniors with simple, easy-to-use, digital solutions that help to reduce monthly living expenses.

So, what are some of the best aging-in-place technologies and gadgets that help seniors save money?

LED Lighting

With US households saving on average $225 a year or more with LED lights, it’s no wonder replacing incandescent lights with LED replacements is among the more popular ways for seniors to save money. LED lights generate a much wider and brighter beam of light, use upwards of 80 to 90 percent less energy than incandescent lights, and are just as easy to install.

Lasting anywhere from 25 to 30 times longer and generating less heat, LED lights are more expensive. However, their longer life provides unbeatable savings.

• Tips and Install:

To maximize your savings, search for Energy-Star LED Lights and dim the lights or turn them off when not in use. The installation is no different from any other type of incandescent bulb. Turn off the light. Wait a few minutes for the bulb to cool down. Use a lint-free cloth if needed when removing the old bulb. Install the new LED bulb and turn on the light.

Smart Plugs

Another simple solution that provides significant savings is smart plugs. According to a study performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, using smart plugs can help reduce energy consumption annually from five to 10 percent. Even more impressive is how these simple gadgets can be controlled remotely through an App on your mobile phone, a voice-activated smart home system, or a tablet.

• Tips and Install:

Smart plugs are a simple solution that helps to reduce energy consumption by ensuring appliances and household electronics aren’t left on accidentally. However, given their installation complexity, it is best to have a state-licensed electrician do the installation of all your home’s smart plugs.

Smart Thermostats

Among the more popular home-based technologies that help seniors save on energy is smart thermostats. Depending upon where you live, the climate, and your comfort level, having a smart thermostat installed can save anywhere from $50 to $150 annually.

Smart thermostats allow seniors to enjoy the ideal temperatures while making it easy to control heating and cooling with voice-activated commands or through their mobile devices or other devices with a Wi-Fi connection. With some smart thermostats incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, these energy-efficient solutions can anticipate your comfort preferences and adjust both the AC and heat accordingly.

• Tips and Install:

It’s best to have an HVAC installer take care of the installation of your smart thermostat. The right HVAC installer will help you choose a smart thermostat that is both easy to use and provides the added features you need. They’ll be able to install the thermostat and give tips on how to control it through your mobile devices while also showing tips on how to further save money.

Smart, Energy-Efficient Home Appliances

Whether it’s a voice-activated smart home refrigerator, microwave, oven, or dishwasher that can be controlled through your mobile phone or an easy-to-use touchscreen, several at-home energy-efficient appliances can save you money. With energy-efficient smart refrigerators saving upwards of 10 percent a year on electricity, it’s easy to see how multiple energy-efficient appliances can reduce your monthly expenses.

• Tips and Install:

It’s always best to choose Energy Star-certified home appliances while working with an experienced HVAC contractor and installer or a smart home device installer. These companies are experts at installation while being more than willing to help with any voice-activated or mobile-friendly requirements. The right HVAC contractor can install your smart thermostat while taking care of all your energy-efficient smart home appliances.

Energy-Efficient Smart Sensors and Smart Hubs

Whether it’s benefiting from voice-activated, keyless-entry smart home locks, having smart carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed, or choosing smart ceiling fans, smart blinds, smart leak detectors, and smart sprinklers, all are energy-efficient solutions that can reduce energy consumption and lower your monthly bills. However, with all these smart home devices, choosing a smart hub to control them all is the logical next step.

Think of a smart hub as the central nervous system for all your energy-efficient smart home appliances. Today’s smart hubs can be voice-activated within the home or easily accessed remotely through your mobile phone. The result is a single platform that allows you to control every smart device within your home while giving tips and insight on how to maximize energy consumption and savings.

• Tips and Install:

While multiple smart home devices can seem overwhelming, there are several smart home installation contractors and smart hub service providers who can combine multiple smart services through a single lower installation fee. These companies are more than capable of providing detailed information on how users save money through their systems.

WiseSavings – Your Source of Endless Ways to Save Money

At WiseSavings, our 250,000-plus senior members turn to us for insight, tips, and guidance on how best to lower expenses and live more comfortably. Whether we’re providing exclusive access to discounts and rebates on groceries, insurance, and healthcare or helping our members benefit from federal assistance programs – our solutions are dedicated to people 55 and over who want to live life to the fullest while saving money.

If you are over 55 and would like to know how WiseSavings can help you save money, contact us now.