If you are looking for the easiest, most affordable way to start building a smart home, look no further than the smart plug. It’s a simple adapter that plugs into your existing wall outlet, transforming any standard “dumb” appliance into a smart device.
But beyond the novelty of turning off your lights with a voice command, are smart plugs actually worth the investment? The short answer is yes. When used correctly, these inexpensive gadgets can significantly lower your monthly energy bill and pay for themselves.
What Exactly Does a Smart Plug Do?
A smart plug acts as a gatekeeper for electricity. It connects to your home’s Wi-Fi (or Zigbee network) and communicates with an app on your phone. Through the app, you can turn the flow of electricity to the plugged-in device on or off remotely, set schedules, and, with advanced models, monitor exactly how much power the device is consuming.
3 Ways Smart Plugs Lower Your Energy Bill
1. Eliminating “Vampire Power”
Did you know that many appliances consume electricity even when they are turned off? This is known as standby power, or “vampire power.” Devices like televisions, gaming consoles, and microwave ovens constantly draw small amounts of current to stay in standby mode.
By connecting these electronics to a smart plug, you can completely cut the power to them during the hours you know you won’t be using them (e.g., while you are at work or asleep), saving you a surprising amount of money over a year.
2. Intelligent Scheduling
One of the best features of a smart plug is the ability to create schedules. For example, if you have a space heater, a window AC unit, or heavy living room lamps, you can schedule them to turn off automatically at a specific time.
- Example: Schedule your coffee maker to turn on right before you wake up, and automatically shut off 30 minutes later, ensuring it never runs all day by mistake.
3. Energy Monitoring Capabilities
If you want to truly understand your energy consumption, invest in smart plugs with built-in energy monitoring. These plugs track the kilowatt-hours (kWh) drawn by the connected appliance and display it in a graph on your phone.
This allows you to identify which old appliances in your home are energy hogs and might need replacing with more efficient models.
What Should You Plug Into a Smart Plug?
Not every appliance needs a smart plug. Here are the best candidates to maximize your savings and convenience:
- Lamps and string lights: For easy scheduling and remote control.
- Gaming setups and TVs: To kill vampire power overnight.
- Curling irons and straighteners: For safety and peace of mind (turn them off remotely if you forgot).
- Holiday decorations: Easily automate your Christmas tree lights.
What You Should NOT Plug In
It is crucial to avoid plugging heavy-duty appliances into standard smart plugs, as they can overload the circuit and pose a fire hazard. Never use a standard smart plug for:
- Washing machines or dryers
- Refrigerators
- Large electric ovens
Note: If you must monitor a heavy-duty appliance, ensure you purchase a heavy-duty smart plug explicitly rated for 15 Amps or higher.
The Verdict: With prices often dropping below $10 per plug, the return on investment is excellent. By automating your lights and stopping vampire power from your electronics, smart plugs are undeniably worth the low entry cost.