Smart tech set to change home life
Super savers on energy and diagnostic loos on the way
Rising energy bills are a concern for many people this winter, but in the future, smart home technology could improve matters considerably and even see energy providers paying the consumer. Looking ahead three decades, our lives are set to become greener and smarter, and this will result in major changes in the home.
Imagine using gadgets such as fridges that recommend meals based on dietary requirements, or toilets that can recognise and monitor signs of illness.
Holographic televisions, smart windows and speaker systems with emotion detection technology will all be available.
As electronic devices interact with each other in different ways, experts at the switching service predict our energy bills will also adapt to give us a greater understanding of how we use our electricity.
Each item will collect data on its individual energy usage and transfer this to bill payers monthly. With greater transparency over energy usage, households will be much wiser when it comes to energy consumption and saving on bills.
Energy on-demand will allow consumers to select the energy source used to power their homes, and change their energy mix quickly and easily on an app.
With a choice of hydrogen, wind, solar, or nuclear, homeowners may switch between a combination of sources depending on the season, so may opt for solar power during the summer months when supply is at its highest and, in theory, cheapest.
An electric vehicle will be a staple for drivers of the future, and based on today’s Tesla Model 3 will cost the average owner £369.20 per year in electricity.
With the average UK driver currently spending over £1,000 on petrol per year, car owners in 2050 will make a significant saving.
More extreme weather in the UK due to climate change will also make a smart air conditioning unit an essential item in the British home by 2050, with experts calculating an expected average cost of £76.64 per year in electricity.
But with smart energy storing devices that find the cheapest time to source electricity then store it for future use, households of the future might open their energy bill to find that they’ve actually made money by selling electricity back to the grid.
Tashema Jackson, energy expert at energyhelpline.com, said: “The move away from traditional energy sources such as gas may leave many worried about the impact on their wallets.
“The power to choose your energy source on-demand will not only provide greater control but also help reduce costs by spreading the supply across multiple sources; it will not only benefit households financially but is better for the planet.”
She added that by locking in a long-term fixed deal, especially one that is green, home owners can be protected from sudden price increases, while reducing their carbon footprint.