Many devices in your home use energy even when they aren’t technically on, including gaming consoles, computers, televisions, and monitors. In fact, these energy vampires can account for up to 20 percent of your home’s energy bill, or hundreds of dollars each year. With a smart plug, you can cut off electricity to these devices without having to physically unplug them from the wall. You can even set timers to cut them off during periods when they’re typically not in use, such as at night or when you’re at work.
I’ve noticed how easy it is to overlook these sneaky energy drains. For instance, my gaming console was always in standby mode, quietly sipping power even when I wasn’t playing. After plugging it into a smart plug, I set it to shut off completely at night, and I’ve seen a noticeable dip in my electric bill. Studies suggest that standby power can account for 5-10% of residential energy use in the U.S., so tackling these vampires is a practical step. A tip I’ve found handy is grouping devices like chargers and consoles into a single smart plug to control them all at once, saving both time and energy.
Turn Off Outlets From Anywhere
With the morning rush to get the kids to school and make that busy commute to work, it’s no wonder that you occasionally leave your bedside lamp, curling iron, or coffee maker on accidentally. With a smart plug, you can cut those appliances off from work or anywhere else you happen to be. Not sure you’ll remember to check after you arrive at work? Then set a timer so the outlet automatically shuts off at a certain time every day. Not only will this help you save money on your energy bill, it will also make your home safer by ensuring appliances that create a fire hazard aren’t left on unattended.
I can’t count the times I’ve left the house wondering if I forgot to turn off my curling iron. With a smart plug, I can just pull out my phone and double-check, which gives me peace of mind. Beyond convenience, this feature can prevent serious risks¡ªunattended appliances like irons or heaters are linked to thousands of house fires annually, according to fire safety reports. A pro tip is to label your smart plugs in the app (like ¡°kitchen coffee maker¡± or ¡°bedroom lamp¡±) so you can quickly identify and control them when you’re on the go.
Track Energy Usage
Just as it’s hard to track your finances if you’re not keeping records of what you spend, it’s very difficult to track your energy usage without knowing how you’re using energy. A smart plug solves that problem by keeping detailed data that breaks down how much energy your appliances, lamps, and other electronics are using during each hour of the day. You can even enter your utility rates to get an estimate of how much that light or appliance is costing you each month so you can make informed choices about cutting back your energy use.
Seeing the numbers in real time is a game-changer. I plugged my old desk lamp into a smart plug and was shocked to see it was costing me a few bucks a month just because it was left on longer than needed. Many smart plugs let you view energy use in kilowatt-hours, and some even estimate costs based on your local rates. The Department of Energy notes that tracking usage can help households reduce energy consumption by up to 15%. My advice? Start with high-use devices like space heaters or old TVs to pinpoint where you can cut back the most.
Use If This Then That Technology
Smart plugs that support If This Then That (IFTTT) technology automate the process of saving energy so you don’t have to remember to turn electronics off when they’re not in use. Using IFTTT, you can go beyond setting timers and schedules to actually automating electricity use based on your activities in the home. For example, with IFTTT technology, you can link your smart outlet to a digital assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant, and then have the plug automatically shut off the lights, fan, or even a space heater when the digital assistant tells it that the room is unoccupied.
IFTTT takes smart plugs to the next level. I set up a routine where my living room lights turn off when my phone’s GPS shows I’ve left the house, and it’s been a lifesaver for those forgetful moments. You can also get creative¡ªlike linking your plug to weather updates to turn on a fan when it’s hot outside. Experts recommend starting with simple IFTTT recipes, like motion-sensor triggers, to ease into automation. This tech can save you a chunk of energy, especially for devices you use sporadically, and it feels like having a personal assistant for your home.
Create Schedules
A smart plug gives you the ability to set on/off schedules via a smartphone app for any appliance, lamp, or electronic device that’s plugged into it. Once the smart plug is set up, you can create schedules or cut off the plug manually via your phone from virtually anywhere so lights, appliances with standby modes, TVs, computers, and other electronics aren’t using energy while you’re sleeping or at work.
Scheduling has been a game-changer for me, especially for my coffee maker, which used to stay on for hours by accident. Now, it’s off by 8 a.m. sharp, whether I’m home or not. You can set multiple schedules for different days¡ªlike keeping lights on longer during winter evenings. Energy experts say consistent scheduling can reduce unnecessary power use by up to 10%. My go-to trick is syncing schedules with my routine, like turning off the TV when I’m usually at the gym, so I’m not wasting power on devices I’m not using.
Set Up Loop Timers
One of the newest features you’ll find on smart plugs are loop timers. These handy features allow you to set the smart plug to turn on and off repeatedly in intervals of varying lengths, helping you make pool filtration systems, fish tank pumps, security lights, and other appliances that need to cycle on and off more energy efficient.
Loop timers are perfect for things like my fish tank pump, which doesn’t need to run 24/7. I set it to cycle on for 30 minutes every few hours, and the tank stays healthy while using less power. For pool owners, this can be a big money-saver¡ªpool pumps can use up to 1,500 kWh per year, per industry estimates. A practical tip is to experiment with shorter cycles during low-use periods, like overnight for security lights, to maximize efficiency without sacrificing function.
Minimize Peak-Hour Energy Usage
Most energy companies offer pricing programs that charge higher rates during peak energy usage, which is typically mornings and evenings during the winter and afternoons during the summer. A smart plug can help you take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours, which are usually between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. While this won’t work for electronics and appliances you need during peak hours, you can take advantage of off-peak rates for such tasks as charging smartphones, laptop computers, and lithium-ion batteries for power tools and yard equipment.
I started charging my phone and power tools overnight after learning my utility company charges nearly double during peak afternoon hours. This small shift has shaved a bit off my bill, and it adds up. Data from utility providers shows off-peak rates can be 20-50% lower, so it’s worth checking your rate plan. A handy trick is to group all your charging devices into one smart plug and set it to power up only during those cheaper hours, making savings almost effortless.
Cut Holiday Light Electric Bills
Smart plugs aren’t just for indoor use. There are also smart plugs rated for outdoor use for Christmas lights and other outdoor lighting. As with the indoor variety, these outdoor smart plugs allow you to set timers to shut off the lights at a specific time, helping you to keep your utility costs down when decorating your home with holiday cheer.
Every winter, my neighborhood goes all out with holiday lights, but I’ve kept my costs down by using outdoor smart plugs. I set my lights to turn off at midnight, which still looks festive but avoids wasting power all night. Holiday lighting can add $10-$50 to your bill monthly, depending on how many lights you use, so timers are a must. My suggestion? Invest in LED holiday lights and pair them with a smart plug for double the savings, since LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.
Monitor Major Appliance Energy Use
While you wouldn’t use a smart plug to turn a refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher off and on, you can use these devices to monitor their energy usage so you can find out exactly how much they’re contributing to your monthly electric bill. When you see how much energy these large appliances consume in real time, you can take measures to use them more efficiently, such as using a shorter cycle on your dishwasher or raising the thermostat on your window air conditioning unit by a few degrees.
I was surprised to learn my old window AC unit was a major energy hog after monitoring it with a smart plug. That pushed me to bump up the thermostat a bit, which saved me about $15 a month in summer. Large appliances like refrigerators can use 400-600 kWh annually, per energy audits, so tracking their usage is eye-opening. A useful tip is to compare your appliance’s energy draw to newer, energy-efficient models¡ªit might convince you to upgrade sooner and save in the long run.