Leave housework to smarter appliances – smart home appliances
Published March 3, 2023
Save the time you spend on household chores for something more enjoyable and let smart appliances handle them for you. These everyday helpers can't do everything, of course, but they'll definitely lighten your workload. Product specialists Matti Mustakangas, Linus Lönnroth, Joonas Heiniö, and Tuomas Maung from the major and small appliances teams explain how smart appliances can help with daily tasks, save energy, and even improve home safety.
Wash and dry your laundry smarter
Unfortunately, smart washing machines and dryers can't load or fold your laundry for you, but they'll definitely help with everything else in your laundry routine.
Seamless integration between washer and dryer
When you buy a WiFi-enabled washing machine and dryer from the same manufacturer, they can communicate with each other over your network. Linus Lönnroth points to Bosch and Siemens WiFi-enabled washer and dryer models as examples.
A smart dryer can automatically select the right drying program based on which wash cycle was used, how damp or wet the laundry is, and how much laundry needs drying.
Learn to wash your clothes properly
A big part of garment care is choosing the right wash program, and it also affects energy consumption—the wrong program wears out both your clothes and potentially wastes energy if, for example, the cycle is too long for the fabrics in the machine.
If you're unsure whether you're using the right wash program, let an expert help. Some washing machine manufacturers' apps let you list the garments or fabrics you're washing, and the app will recommend the appropriate wash program.
Run your laundry when electricity is cheap
If you're on a spot-price electricity contract, a smart washing machine is definitely a smart purchase because you can use the app to start a wash cycle when electricity is cheap, even when you're not home.
"Electricity might cost 45 cents per kilowatt-hour right now, but in three hours it could be two cents. You might not be home to start the machine then, but you can start it remotely," Joonas Heiniö suggests.
Remote control of your washing machine does require some planning—make sure the machine is always loaded with the next batch of laundry and detergent is ready so you can start it anytime, from anywhere.
Smart washing machines and automatic detergent dispensers
If your smart washing machine has a detergent reservoir that automatically dispenses detergent based on the wash program, it will notify you through the phone app when the reservoir needs refilling.
You can also easily check from your phone while shopping to see how much detergent is left in the reservoir and grab more from the store if needed.