Energy-Efficient Exteriors with Smart Home Innovations

By:

As homeowners continue to embrace sustainable living, the focus on energy-efficient exteriors has never been more relevant. By incorporating smart home innovations, you can create an outdoor space that is not only environmentally friendly, but also convenient and modern. From automated lighting and irrigation systems, to smart pool monitors and solar power features, these advanced technologies help reduce energy consumption, conserve resources, and elevate the beauty and functionality of your home’s exterior.

We’ll explore how these innovations can transform your outdoor space into efficient, smart retreats you can enjoy year after year.

Looking for a transformation that only involves paint? You may be interested in our paint visualizer package. It’s perfect for homeowners seeking a simple transformation with color only. If you do need help with other aspects of your exterior, we’ve got you covered there too. We can assist with visualizing design elements such as porches, front doors, and much more. Learn all about our virtual exterior design services.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. 

Digital rendering of an energy-efficient exterior with outdoor seating around a firepit, linear landscaping, black windows, and black exterior lighting.

Smart automated lighting systems

Automated lighting systems are an excellent way to enhance energy-efficiency and security for your home’s exterior. Smart floodlights, pathway lights, and landscape lighting can be programmed to operate on a schedule or triggered by motion sensors, ensuring they only light when needed. This reduces energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary usage and adds a layer of convenience and safety. Some systems allow homeowners to control lighting remotely via smartphone apps, offering flexibility when traveling or for those times you’re in a hurry and forget to turn the lights off.

Aside from energy savings, smart lighting systems can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home’s exterior. Gone are the days of tacky smart lights for the trade-off of having energy-efficient exteriors. Now, we have automated pathway lights that not only illuminate walkways for safety, but also create a dramatic effect when used to highlight landscaping features or architectural details, adding curb appeal. Smart floodlights integrate with security cameras, giving homeowners peace of mind while away. Many systems are even compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND SAMPLING AND TESTING PAINT COLORS BEFORE COMMITTING. FACTORS SUCH AS NATURAL LIGHTING, UNDERTONES, AND YOUR PROPERTY’S FIXED ELEMENTS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW A COLOR WILL APPEAR ON YOUR EXTERIOR. OUR FRIENDS AT SAMPLIZE OFFER EXTRA-LARGE 9 X 14.75 INCH PEEL-AND-STICK PAINT SAMPLES OF THE COLORS WE LOVE FOR EXTERIORS. ORDER YOUR ‘REAL PAINT, NO MESS’ SAMPLES FROM SAMPLIZE HERE.
Lush landscaping and tiered retaining walls in the front yard of modern black home with black windows.

Automated irrigation systems

An automated irrigation system is a wonderful tool for maintaining a beautiful and energy-efficient landscape. These systems take the guess work out of watering, adjusting based on factors like the weather, soil moisture, and your plant’s specific needs. Smart irrigation systems schedule watering at optimal times of the day, typically in the late morning or evening. This helps conserve water, lowers utility costs, and ensures your garden or yard stays lush and healthy year-round.

Many of today’s automated irrigation systems also have sensors that detect rain or humidity levels, automatically pausing or adjusting water cycles to prevent overwatering. This level of customization not only protects your plants, but also promotes long-term sustainability by conserving water, a precious resource. The systems also have convenient remote controls so you can monitor or adjust settings, no matter where you’re at.

Two-story modern home with glass balconies, wood paneled porch ceilings, and a stone and paver walkway leading to a linear style pool.

Smart thermostats for outdoor spaces

Smart thermostats are no longer for just the interior of a home. These devices provide precise, automated control for things such as patio heaters and heated driveways. They help maintain energy by automatically adjusting based on outdoor temperatures and homeowner preferences. This helps keep outdoor areas warm during the cooler months without wasting energy. We can see the use for these increasing significantly as we enter the colder months to keep our outdoor spaces cozy and inviting.

Dark blue house with white trim, a wood pergola, and cement stairs leading to a linear style pool.

Smart pool monitors

For homes with pools, smart monitors are a handy tool to ensure your pool remains energy-efficient, safe, and well-maintained. These devices monitor water temperature, chemical levels, and filtration cycles, sending alerts when any adjustments are needed. This reduces the risk of energy waste from overusing filtration systems and helps maintain optimal water conditions, saving both energy and money in the long run.

Smart pool monitors also contribute to safety, alerting you to any anomalies in water quality or temperature that pose a risk to swimmers. Some advanced systems even integrate with pool covers and heating elements, automatically adjusting them based on usage and weather conditions. This type of automation makes pool maintenance a breeze, allowing homeowners to enjoy a well-kept pool without constant manual checks and adjustments.

Digital rendering of a home with smart garage doors, black windows, and off-white stone cladding.

Smart garage door

Energy-efficient exteriors don’t have to be complicated. Smart garage doors allow homeowners to control and monitor their garage from anywhere using a mobile app. Not only do they add convenience and security, but they also enhance curb appeal when paired with sleek, modern designs or even traditional carriage-style doors. Some systems provide customizable alerts, notifying you when the door is opened or closed. Smart systems enable voice commands and geofencing, automatically opening or closing the door based on your location.

A traditional home with white windows, white garage doors, and a black front door.

Smart window shades

Automated window shades can contribute to both energy efficiency and curb appeal. Exterior shades or awnings can adjust to block the sun during peak hours, reducing the amount of heat entering your home and lowering cooling costs. Customizable settings and remote control enhance. your exterior’s look while boosting efficiency.

The backside of a one story home with a sting lights, a firepit, and a dolphin fountain.

Solar powered outdoor features

Lastly, solar-powered accessories naturally complement energy-efficient exteriors. Solar lighting, fountains, and even charging stations for outdoor devices can make use of renewable energy to power your exterior. Solar pathway lights and garden ornaments reduce electricity usage while contributing to a sustainable lifestyle. Many of these solar devices are low maintenance and can run efficiently for years, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Solar lighting is also a versatile and eco-friendly way to elevate the beauty of your home’s exterior while reducing energy costs. Charming solar string lights and uplighting highlight landscaping or architectural features to create an inviting atmosphere without the need for electrical wiring. Solar pathway lights are another popular choice, guiding guests safely to your door while adding a soft, ambient glow to the landscape. Best of all, solar lights charge throughout the day suing sunlight, making them both cost-effective and energy-efficient. With a variety of styles available, they blend seamlessly into any exterior design, enhancing both the function and appeal of your outdoor space.

Virtual rendering of a rancher style home with wood columns, lush landscaping, a fountain, and a lounge area by a firepit.

Together, these smart home innovations are excellent ways to create energy-efficient exteriors that are not only functional and beautiful, but also easy to maintain. Automated lighting, irrigation, and pool monitors reduce energy consumption while improving convenience. Solar-powered accessories and smart security systems bring sustainability and safety to your outdoor spaces. Smart garage doors, thermostats, and water features offer even more ways to optimize your exterior. By integrating these innovations, you can create energy-efficient exteriors and a beautiful retreat right in your backyard.

Feeling inspired to go ‘smart’ and energy-efficient? We can help! All we need are your answers to our short questionnaire for our designers to get started creating a custom design. We’ll even provide a shoppable resource list so getting started is as easy as clicking a few links. Get started here.

Author

Originally from Tennessee, Ami currently lives in South Carolina, which has been home since leaving the military in 2016. Interior and exterior design has always intrigued Ami, especially the styles and characteristics seen in other countries as an avid traveler and photographer. She lives for the renewal of older or historic homes that maintain their character, and regularly creates her own mood boards and virtual designs for inspiration or to help others with their spaces. Having always had a passion for design and following their work for years prior, Ami was excited to be brought onto brick&batten’s team of writers. Her writing endeavors actually started in an academic/scientific setting, then in a regulatory aspect. Writing about paint colors, emerging or current trends in exterior design, and so much more revolving around something she’s always enjoyed was a fun and welcomed change!

Schedule a Complimentary Call