Mark Krull from Logic4training looks at how installers can upsell smart technology to empower homeowners to change their behaviour, take control of their energy use and save money.
We waste more than £2.2 billion every year by unnecessarily heating our homes. This is harmful to our planet and our wallet and can be improved by making simple behavioural changes that cut energy wastage and living costs.
It might seem obvious, but reminding ourselves about what energy efficiency actually means will help focus the mind of you and your customers.
The goal of energy efficiency is to use less energy to achieve the same level of comfort; for example, weather compensation controls adjust the boiler output as the outside temperature changes, reducing energy wastage and therefore using less energy to maintain the required temperature. Further improvements can be made by increasing the thermal efficiency of the building, reducing heat loss through windows and doors and minimising moisture content.
Energy efficiency goes hand-in-hand with energy conservation, bringing bills down even further.
Smart meters can help
The smart meter rollout is very much part of this idea of ‘energy conservation’ – helping homeowners to reduce domestic carbon emissions by giving them more information about how much energy they use and how much their appliances cost to run.
Armed with this knowledge, homeowners can make small behavioural changes that add up to big savings. According to Smart Energy GB, 86% of people with a smart meter say they have changed how they do things around the house to use less energy.
Take control
If the existing boiler is less than 15 years old, the installation of heating controls could save around £80 a year, as well as providing a great business opportunity for installers.
Smart thermostats are the latest in temperature control technology. These devices keep a home at the optimum temperature, using algorithms and sensors to zone heating, minimising wastage. Heating can be controlled remotely, giving greater awareness of energy use, which in turn encourages good habits. Installers can add on to their original job, while ensuring customers could make potential savings of around £130 a year.
Energy and business smart
Installers are at the frontline of the industry and can use their position to provide value to customers while promoting their services. By educating your customers on energy savings and encouraging them to make small behavioural changes, they will save money and thank you for it, in turn putting your services on their radar.
