https://half-life.jp/en/tags/smart-home/Recent content in Smart-Home on Half-LifeHugo -- gohugo.ioenHalf-LifeMon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0900https://half-life.jp/en/life-hacks/summer-utility-bill-smart-energy-saving/Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0900https://half-life.jp/en/life-hacks/summer-utility-bill-smart-energy-saving/<img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/summer-utility-bill-smart-energy-saving-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Smart Energy Saving for Summer: Cut Utility Bills with Home Tech" /><p>Summer electricity bills in Japan can double compared to spring. With AC running nearly 24/7 in many households, finding ways to cut costs without sacrificing comfort is a top priority. Smart home technology offers proven strategies.</p> <h2 id="ac-optimization">AC Optimization </h2><p>Smart thermostats like the Google Nest or Ecobee learn your schedule and adjust temperatures automatically. Set your AC to turn off 30 minutes before you leave and resume 15 minutes before you return. This alone can cut cooling costs by 15-20%. Pair with smart sensors that detect open windows and automatically pause the AC, preventing wasted energy. Use the &ldquo;dehumidify&rdquo; mode instead of &ldquo;cool&rdquo; mode during rainy season when humidity is high but temperatures are moderate. Dehumidifying uses about 30% less electricity than cooling.</p>