It’s only when we compare today’s home technology to what people had 30 years ago, that you realize how lucky we are. You probably were impressed with new home window technology, and you’ll be just as pleased that other technologies are becoming mainstream.

We’re all looking for ways to make our homes more comfortable, to increase their market value, and cut our home operating costs. Well, these solutions just might fulfill all those wants.

Here’s 5 technology innovations that can make your home life better and save you money. If you combine them, they become even more powerful:

1. Solar Panels – Unlike other energy sources, electricity has continued a relentless rise in price because of how it’s produced doesn’t change, and it creates big tax revenue for the government. Electricity cost is a major pain. Solar panel installation on rooftops is becoming increasingly popular. If you switch to gas heating, gas stoves, and gas clothes dryers, these solar panels can deliver all the electrical power your home needs. Additionally, if you switch to LED televisions and LED lighting, your power use drops. Then you might be able to feed power into the Ontario power grid and get paid 80 cents per kilowatt. The government offers a tax break on the purchase of panels. For some rural properties, solar panels can be a wise investment.

2. LED Lighting – Light Emitting Diode technology is advancing quickly and uses about 16% of the power of old incandescent bulbs. The light it emits helps people see better as well. LED lighting is one reason we don’t need to build new nuclear power plants.

3. Water Saving Showers – This brand new invention actually filters dirty shower water in a system located beneath the shower stall itself. The result is clean, pure water that can be reused endlessly. If you have a tankless water heater, it can mean endless showers or baths with minimal energy wastage. Cut your water and sewage bills by 70% or more. It’s a great enhancement to your new spa shower.

4. Heat Exchangers – these devices allow the heat to be extracted from warm exhaust air that needs to be expelled from the home. The heat is transferred to new incoming air. Heat exchangers can be used on water and plumbing systems as well, so that heat is extracted before it is released to the septic tank or sewage system.

5. Geothermal Heating/Cooling – these systems use piping with fluids running through them to extract heat from the ground in winter to heat the home. Heat exchanges are used to transfer heat. The geothermal heat exchangers reverse in summer to expel heat into the ground piping.

Home Energy Savings – Pays for Itself

You’ll have to do the math over a 20 year installation period to see if your investment will really pay off. Consider too, the eco-friendly benefits of not worsening the Ontario hydro power thirst, and actually feeding power into it to help out. And you get paid. You’ll be sending less polluting water and expelling less carbon into the atmosphere.

Figure 1 Screenshot of the Purification Capsules that are the heart of the Shower of the Future. See it at http://showerofthefuture.com/technology/

A general estimate of the feel good benefits and the lower energy/water costs should make this an outstanding investment for people with means. The average homeowner may be able to afford one of these systems, and the prices will continue to drop. It’s something you should start planning for.

Don’t forget that your windows and doors are big wasters of heat in winter and losing your cool in summer. Check for new double pane and triple pane windows benefits such as amazing energy efficiency. Learn more about home windows and whether you should go with vinyl or fibreglass frames.

About the Growth of Residential Solar Energy