There has been so much buzz about the Internet of Things (IoT) technology influencing various industries, showing that the world is entering a period of advancement. IoT has proven that the things we could only imagine have now become a reality that is convenient and accessible.
IoT mainly comprises a network of interconnected physical devices. Meaning that you basically need an internet connection that connects all your devices, allowing them to communicate with each other and carry out your commands. Take Xfinity, for example. With the help of its internet services, users can connect their smart devices to the hub and manage and control them from just one place, and that too, remotely. You can call the Xfinity customer service number to find out more.
Hence, IoT is considered a system of connected physical objects, including devices, vehicles, machinery, buildings, etc. You will understand more about these physical objects in the article. Hence, in the system of IoT, these objects exchange data and information over a wireless network connection without needing little or no human interaction.
IoT and Carbon Footprint
Now comes the question of whether IoT can reduce energy consumption, considering the glaring climate change everywhere in the world. Can IoT help to reduce carbon footprint? To find the answer to this question, keep reading;
To Increase Energy Efficiency
What people understand from the term ‘IoT’ is smart home products such as Google Nest, Amazon Alexa, Siri, etc., and other aspects of smart home technology like smart sensors, smart thermostats, etc. Smart home technology has made life pretty convenient in our homes.
But there is another advantage to using IoT to manage our lifestyle; it is pretty energy efficient. The system collects information about the homeowner’s lifestyle and then adjusts the devices around the house accordingly. If the room isn’t being used, smart lights get turned off. Smart thermostats are designed to use as few resources as possible to provide a maximized cooling system around a home. This efficient use of energy results in lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Such simple tasks of managing devices around the house can reduce electricity consumption and overall costs.
To Reduce Emissions for Smart City Infrastructure
It’s not very common knowledge yet, but the Internet of Things has the potential to revolutionize the way cities can run completely.
The IoT technology allows monitoring traffic patterns in a smart city: you can locate congested areas around the city and then adjust traffic lights accordingly to keep busy roads moving. As a result, this can minimize vehicle emissions, a major greenhouse gas source.
Moreover, IoT can also bolster the lighting systems around the city, such as you can manage and monitor lighting units remotely. Optimizing lighting levels reduces carbon output, resulting in less electricity consumption and even lesser overall costs.
To Connect Factories to Cut Waste
Another perspective to bring here is an industrial setting: IoT can be installed in factories to monitor energy usage.
For instance, one feature of IoT, while applied in factories, is to detect machines running at suboptimal settings, adjusting them accordingly so that they can only result in low energy usage and a reduction in carbon emission. Another is real-time monitoring of appliances and products while they are running.
Connected factory processes through IoT help to reduce waste and optimize resources. The IoT sensors can easily detect when the factory supplies are running low so that you can add in more again in a timely manner.
Read Also: How Virtual Data Rooms can boost your business
To Help Developing Countries Gain Benefits
IoT technology’s benefits in reducing carbon footprint and other positive environmental impacts are especially needed in developing countries.
Local communities can use IoT technology to monitor the environmental conditions in the region and then make changes accordingly to lower their carbon footprint. Some sensors detect the air pollution level that communities can use to implement green initiatives. Then the water supply around the city can also be monitored, and authorities are alerted of any issue.
Hence, IoT technology is also applicable for developing communities to bring about positive environmental changes.
Wrapping Up
As it has been established already in this article, IoT technology is a very powerful tool that provides convenience in carrying out tasks at home, offices, cities, and factories and offers greener earth by reducing carbon footprints. More and more companies should be implementing this technology to combat climate change.
