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Top Smart Home Features for Sustainable Living

December 14, 2025

Your home should work for you, not the other way around. With smart home features, you can kick back and let technology handle the details. Do you want the lights a little dimmer? Or do you wish to keep energy bills in check? Smart tech has you covered.

Whether you are relaxing by the surf in Malibu, tucked into the quiet streets of Palisades, or keeping up with the buzz in Downey, these upgrades fit every lifestyle. In this post, we will explore the best smart home features to help you create a more sustainable, connected home.

Ready to see how your home can do more for you—and the planet? Let us dive into the coolest smart home features that make sustainable living a breeze!

Smart Thermostats: A Simple Way to Cut Energy Waste

Have you ever left the AC on all day by accident? That is where smart thermostats make a big difference. These devices instantly change the temperature based on what they learn about your habits.

In Palisades, where mornings start cool and afternoons get warmer, a smart thermostat keeps your home at the right temperature without needing constant changes. It works with your schedule, turning things down when you are away and keeping things cozy when you are home.

Why it matters:

• Keeps your home comfortable all day

• Reduces HVAC energy waste

• Easy to control from your phone

Installing a smart thermostat is one of the easiest steps toward an energy-efficient home. Let us move on to lighting next.

Smart Lighting: Better Control, Lower Bills

Are you tired of lights getting left on? With smart lighting, you have full control over every bulb in your house—whether you’re at home or not. With a simple app or speech command, you can turn off lights, dim them, or set them to a schedule.

In Malibu, many homeowners use smart lights for their patios, entryways, and home offices. These systems also work well in kitchen remodels or bathroom upgrades where natural and task lighting blend together.

A person using smartphone to control smart home features

What you get:

• Lights that follow your routine

• Lower power bills

• Voice and phone control

Smart lighting is a small upgrade that adds comfort and saves energy at home. Now, let us take a look at power control.

Smart Plugs: Stop Wasting Energy Without Noticing

Many electronics keep using power even when you turn them off. Smart plugs solve this by cutting off energy completely when the device is not in use.

In busy Downey homes filled with gaming consoles, chargers, and TVs, these plugs help prevent wasted energy. You can set them to power down at night or when no one’s home.

How they help:

• Reduce “phantom” energy use

• Control devices from your phone

• Add safety and savings

These small tools make a big impact on energy-saving homes. Now, let us talk about how you water your lawn.

Smart Irrigation: Smarter Lawns, Less Water

In California, water is precious. Smart irrigation systems change how much they water based on the weather, your plants, and soil moisture. This add-on feature helps prevent over-watering and keeps your yard looking great.

Homeowners in Palisades with larger landscapes love the control and savings smart irrigation brings. It is also great for smaller Malibu gardens where every drop counts.

You will enjoy:

• No more wasted water

• Custom schedules that fit your plants

• Automatic shut-off when it rains

Pairing this with native plants makes your yard low-maintenance and eco-friendly. Up next—track your energy use in real time.

Energy Monitoring: See Where Your Power Goes

Ever wonder which appliance uses the most energy? Energy monitors give you clear, easy-to-read reports. You will know how much power you use and where it goes.

Downey families who install these tools often realize how much energy their older appliances use. Thus, with this tool, you can choose smarter replacements, especially during a kitchen remodel or home upgrade.

Why it’s worth it:

• Spot high-usage appliances

• Make informed upgrades

• Change habits to reduce bills

Once you understand your usage, making your home energy efficient becomes simple. Now, let us look at smart appliances.

Smart Appliances: Modern Comfort with Less Waste

Smart appliances are designed to use less energy while doing more. From dishwashers and ovens to washers and dryers, these machines are part of the best smart home systems today.

Picture this: You are shopping in Malibu and get an alert that your fridge door is open. Or your washer starts during off-peak hours in Palisades. These tools give you more control and use less power.

Good to know:

• Work with your routines

• Use less water and electricity

• Offer helpful alerts and maintenance reminders

Smart appliances are especially useful during a kitchen remodel or full-home upgrade. Next, let us bring it all together.

Home Automation Hubs: Connect Everything in One Place

What is better than smart devices? Devices that work together. A home automation hub connects your lights, thermostat, plugs, and more. With one system, you control everything from one app or with your voice.

Smart home setup with Google Nest Hub

In Downey, many families use systems like Google Nest or Apple HomeKit to set up daily routines. Imagine saying “Good Night” and having your home shut down for the day—lights off, doors locked, and thermostat lowered.

Easy benefits:

• All devices in one place

• Set routines for morning, bedtime, or vacation

• Boosts convenience and security

A smart hub adds comfort and efficiency to any home. Last but not least, let us talk about building a smarter, greener future.

Energize Builders: Helping You Create a Smart, Sustainable Home

Whether you’re focused on reducing bills or living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, smart home features make it possible. From smart thermostats to home automation hubs, these tools help build energy-saving homes that fit your goals.

At Energize Builders, we help homeowners across Malibu, Palisades, and Downey create homes that are smarter, more comfortable, and better for the environment. Whether you’re starting with a bathroom remodel, a full kitchen upgrade, or looking to add a few smart features, our team is ready to guide you through every step.

General Contractor Remodeling Near Me: Local Expertise You Can Trust

Tired of unreliable contractors or remodels that go over budget? At Energize Builders, we take the stress out of home remodeling in Los Angeles. Whether you need a kitchen refresh, bathroom upgrade, or ADU build, our licensed team delivers on time and with care.

With over 10 years of experience and a Houzz award-winning portfolio, we bring peace of mind and real results. Call (310) 963-1567 and let us help you build a smart home that works for your lifestyle.

Ready to transform your space?

Contact Energize Builders today and experience the difference of working with a construction company that truly cares.

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