Putting Your Home to Work | OEC News

By Daniel Lofland

Smart home technology isn’t just about convenience. When paired with a reliable internet connection and the right electric rate, connected devices can help homeowners better manage energy use and reduce monthly costs. From programmable thermostats to delayed-start appliances, today’s smart technology makes it easier than ever to use electricity more efficiently.

Start with a smart thermostat

If you’re looking for the biggest opportunity to save energy, a Wi-Fi-enabled programmable thermostat is a great place to start.

Modern smart thermostats let you adjust temperatures remotely, create schedules and monitor heating and cooling usage from your smartphone.

Because heating and cooling are typically the largest energy users in a home, even small adjustments can make a noticeable difference.

Members on OEC’s EV rate can also schedule their thermostat to precool the home before higher-priced periods, then automatically adjust temperatures while those rates are in effect before returning to a more comfortable setting later in the evening.

Monitoring your HVAC system’s runtime can also help identify when maintenance may be needed.

Upgrade your lighting

LED bulbs already use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Smart LED bulbs add another level of convenience by allowing you to control lights from anywhere using your smartphone.

Forgot to turn off the porch light?

Instead of getting out of bed, simply open the app and switch it off.

You can also schedule lights to turn on at sunset and turn off automatically later in the evening, helping improve convenience while avoiding unnecessary energy use.

If replacing multiple bulbs isn’t practical, smart switches and smart plugs offer many of the same scheduling benefits.

Let appliances work while you sleep

Many newer washers, dryers and dishwashers include delayed-start features.

While they may seem simple, these settings can help members take advantage of lower overnight electric rates.

Instead of running appliances immediately after dinner, schedule them to begin several hours later while energy costs are lower.

For members enrolled in OEC’s EV rate, overnight electricity costs substantially less than daytime usage, making delayed-start features an easy way to reduce energy costs without changing daily routines.

Make your electric rate work for you

OEC offers multiple residential rate options to fit different lifestyles.

The EV rate isn’t only for members who own electric vehicles.

It’s also a good option for members who can shift some household energy use to overnight hours.

The overnight rate is significantly lower between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., allowing members to schedule appliance use, thermostat adjustments and EV charging when electricity costs less.

If you own an electric vehicle, most manufacturers allow charging schedules to be programmed directly through the vehicle so charging automatically begins during overnight hours.

Reliable internet powers a smart home

Every smart home device depends on a reliable internet connection.

Whether you’re adjusting a thermostat, controlling lighting, monitoring connected appliances or scheduling EV charging, dependable connectivity keeps everything working together.

OEC Fiber provides fast, reliable fiber internet with multiple speed options designed to support today’s connected homes.

To learn more or check availability, visit OECFiber.com.