If you have opened an electricity bill recently and done a double-take at the total, you aren’t alone. Although energy prices have fallen from their peak, they are still running above the pre-Russia invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and as recent moves by energy companies showed, prices are set to shift higher.

Smart home technology cannot only make your home more secure, but it can also help you be more energy efficient, with a little upfront investment.

From cutting back on heating costs to eliminating standby, there are plenty of options to help energy-conscious consumers get a grip on their bills.

Smart heating controls

One area where you can get your energy costs under control is with heating your home. The SEAI is running a campaign at the moment to let people know about home-improvement upgrades for insulation and more eco-friendly heating systems, but it is also worth looking at smart heating controls to cut down on wasted energy.

Google’s Nest has led the way on this one. When introduced in 2011, the original thermostat learned from your preferences and schedule over a couple of weeks, using additional information provided by your smartphone to figure out your location and heat your home accordingly. If the house was empty and no movement was detected, the thermostat would turn down the heating to avoid wasting energy and money heating an empty h