Smart Home Devices: Manage Lighting & Power to Save Money
Whether it’s playing your favorite music, turning off the light, closing the garage door or keeping your home secure, smart home devices make it easy to automate your life. However, there are also instances where they can help you save energy and money. Even if you’re not a tech-whiz, you may already have a few “smart” appliances or devices in your home, or likely know someone who does. But while these devices are growing in popularity, it’s also important to learn the advantages and disadvantages to determine whether a particular smart device is right for you. Last time, we looked at how smart thermostats allow you to manage your heating and cooling more efficiently. This time, lets check out some smart lighting and power options.
At the end of a long day when you’ve just laid down in bed, no one wants to get back up to turn off a light. Smart bulbs help with this by connecting to Wi-Fi and allowing you to turn lights on or off through voice control or phone app. Additionally, smart lighting gives you more control over how and when you light your home, which can result in less energy used for lighting. LED options can help with additional energy and money savings.
Pros:
• Control lighting from anywhere in your home, or when you’re away
• Set schedules for when lighting is on or off, as well as brightness levels
Cons:
• Being constantly connected to Wi-Fi will mitigate energy savings. Consider utilizing in areas where the smart features will allow less energy use (Example: Setting schedules for lights that would normally be left on for lengthy periods of time)
Features to Consider:
• Paring with voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa
• Personalization options: bright, warm, purple, green – whatever mood you want to create
Popular Brands:
• Philips Hue
• Wyze Bulbs
• Sengled Smart LED Light Bulbs
Installing a smart power strip is a simple and quick way to make your home more energy efficient, while also saving on your energy bill. Smart power strips can detect when a device is in standby mode, allowing it to cut power and save energy. Smart plugs are inexpensive and can be used to control lighting or other electronic devices through a smart phone app. Manage lighting, home office equipment, video game consoles, and more – even when you’re away.
Pros:
• Handle 4 to 8 devices at once
• Schedule cutting the power to the strip off completely when not in use
Cons:
• Savings are not as dramatic as other smart devices
• More expensive than traditional power strips
Features to Consider:
• Monitoring, in real time, the energy use of any device plugged in
• Models with USB ports, to help free up other outlets
Popular Brands:
• Kasa Smart Plug
• WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug
• Wyze Plugs
Whether you're looking to save on energy bills, reduce waste, or simplify your daily routines, smart home devices have something to offer everyone. The benefits of integrating smart home devices into your living space are numerous; however, the positives won’t always outweigh the negatives in every situation. It's essential for homeowners to weigh the pros and cons, considering their individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. Next time, we'll look at how smart water devices can help you manage your water consumption.
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