Smart keywords to futuristic blinds… home technology can save cash and the planet

HOMES where robots do housework is a sci-fi scenario from the American cartoon The Jetsons in the Eighties. But “smart” homes are now a reality, look less crazy, and can save both money and the environment.

There’s a kit spend but you don’t usually get it back and from day one, you’re cutting down on CO2 and plastic waste. Smart thermostats will turn off the heating if you go out, smart washing machines use just the right amount of water and LED lights are a great idea, using a fraction of the power of conventional light bulbs.

8

There are smart blinds, ovens and even loose ones too. Here are some options.

Shower

Aqualisa Quartz Classic, from £714, wolseley.co.uk: You know how it is . . . you’re waiting for the shower to heat up just the way you like it, leaning over to age test the water. With this shower, the LED shows when it reaches your personal setting (no burns when you shower after others).

In some systems, the proximity sensor reduces the flow as you move away from the shower – providing instant water savings. And it works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can control everything simply with your voice.

Toilet

8

Washloo Supreme, £1,995, washloo.co.uk: This toilet is a genius. It has a heated seat, night light, will wash and dry your wounds and even deodorize.

This eliminates the need for loo scrolling – saving money and the environment.

Too expensive? The Washloo Classic, on sale for £399, does all of this and attaches to your existing toilet.

Heating

8

Combustion boilers, from £1,520, boxt.co.uk: On average, a new boiler will save around £300 per year at current gas prices.

Boxt’s website is smart, offering you a fixed price as soon as you answer a few questions.

Choose from Baxi, Vaillant, Ideal and Worcester Bosch.

You can then add smart accessories like thermostats and smoke alarms and they will install them for free during the boiler installation.

Smart faucet

8

Quooker Faucet, from £1,150, quooker.co.uk: This is an expensive faucet – at first.

But like hot and cold water, it will give you boiling water more quickly and efficiently than a kettle. Quooker calculates that it only takes 4p a day to run.

Add an accessory called the Cube (£1,150) and you can also get carbonated and cold water from the faucet.

This will save money in the long run and help the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottles used.

Kitchen

8

Bosch Home Connect Series 6 washing machine, £699, John Lewis: Control this from anywhere, via the app on your phone. Enter the type of laundry and the degree of soiling and it uses only the right amount of detergent and water.

Bosch Home Connect also includes ovens, hobs and refrigerators that you can control with your voice.

That’s great for lowering the fridge to save money when you’re away or to make sure the hob is definitely off.

Dinner in the oven but you’re delayed going home? Alexa can pause the oven for you – lower the temperature until you’re ready so your meal won’t be ruined.

Thermostat

8

Tado Smart Thermostat, from £199.99, uk.shop.tado.com: If no one is home, this thermostat will know and prompt you to adjust the heating.

If you open a window, it will know you are overheating and reduce the heat.

It also sends you energy savings reports so you know you’re spending less cash.

And, with the right smart speaker or app, you can control it with your voice.

Curtain

8

Duette smart curtain, different price, duette.co.uk: Duette’s blinds can run on batteries, so there’s no cumbersome wiring. And there’s voice control – say “Alexa, Good morning” and they’ll open.

Duette’s “honeycomb” design retains heat better than conventional blinds. They reduce heat loss by up to 46%. In winter, this reduces heating bills by up to 12%.

Lighting

8

Philips Hue, from £69.99, philips-hue.com: Philips Hue is the leader in smart lighting – and it shows.

Choose from white bulbs or literally millions of colors. You can control the lights from your smartphone or with your voice.

The starter kit includes a bridge that connects to your broadband and means you can turn on the lights whether you’re at home or not. LED bulbs also save a lot of energy – up to 80% less electricity.