Smart technology has been moving from phones and living rooms into kitchens across the Lone Star State. From a San Antonio family controlling the oven from their smartphone to an Austin couple peeking into their fridge on the way home from work, smart kitchen appliances are finding fans in Texas homes. In fact, a national HomeAdvisor survey found Texas homeowners prefer smart kitchen gadgets over other connected devices – largely because they’re easy to install and can “make your life run much smoother”. In Texas’s hot climate and big-state lifestyle, these futuristic fridges, ovens, coffee makers and even faucets promise real benefits: they streamline meal prep, trim energy and water use, and help busy families focus on friends and BBQs instead of chores.
As Texas summers push air conditioners into overdrive, cutting electricity use is more important than ever. Smart kitchen appliances often carry ENERGY STAR efficiency certifications and let homeowners schedule heavy-duty tasks for off-peak hours. Modern refrigerators, for example, use up to 40% less energy than older models, according to energy experts. Induction cooktops, which heat pots directly with magnets, burn up to 60% less energy than traditional burners and waste less heat in the kitchen. New dishwashers use far less water and power than decades-old machines, and their “eco” cycles allow dishes to dry without energy-guzzling heaters. Even the faucet can be smart – motion-sensor or voice-controlled sinks shut off automatically, saving water during the many times a tap might otherwise run empty. As one Texas contractor notes, these water-efficient sensors can play a “significant role” in reducing waste in drought-prone cities.
On the technology side, smart meters and home networks mean you can track usage in real time. For Texas homes on time-of-use electricity plans, that’s a boon: turning on the dishwasher at midnight might cost pennies instead of dollars during a sweltering afternoon. Smart fridges can even time their defrost cycles when power is cheap. Add in high-tech insulation and precise controls, and many connected appliances adapt to your habits to cut energy bills. One industry analysis suggests a smart thermostat alone can save a home 10–15% on cooling costs, and efficient lighting up to 75%. The same principles apply in the kitchen: if your oven can cook faster or at optimal heat, or your fridge alerts you before groceries spoil, you use less juice and toss out less food....
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