Smart home devices make life easier, safer, and a little more fun, but when used correctly, they are also great at making your home more energy and resource efficient. Without any fuss or money, you can install one of these devices and start experiencing the benefits immediately. And if you install a few, not only will they work together, but you’ll save even more money. Efficiency and savings come through smart his device’s automatic handling features, such as adjusting the thermostat at night or turning off lights when you’re not home. The following collection is an excerpt from the top picks from various guides on smart home devices. Our guides are a great resource for a deeper understanding of how these devices work, how to use them, and how to take advantage of the features you enjoy most.
plug-in smart outlet
Preservation method: Plug-in smart outlets (or smart plugs) make it easy to rein in inefficient or forgotten devices like a desk light in your basement workshop, a desk fan that runs 24/7, or a white noise machine. can. soon. Connect virtually any on/off device to the smart switch to schedule when it works, turn it on/off remotely using the app, or pair it with other devices such as thermostats and motion detectors. or act as a trigger. Or activate it with a voice command to your smart speaker.
Where to start: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim EP25 is extremely easy to use and compatible with all major smart home apps and platforms (Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google, etc.). What makes this model even more useful than other switches is the built-in energy tracking. This gives you an idea of how much energy your connected device uses over time. You can check this by connecting your device to a Kasa switch and tracking your energy usage for a few days. The EP25 is intended for indoor use only, so if you have outdoor lighting or other devices you want to automate or control, we recommend the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40. independently controlled.
Smart dimmer switch and motion detector
Preservation method: Dimming just one bulb won’t save you energy or cash. However, installing smart dimmer switches throughout your home can help keep your utility bills down. With Smart Switch, you can dim an array of fixtures or bulbs at once to reduce your energy usage. You can group them around the house to work on them at the same time, place them on automated schedules, or trigger them to activate every time you leave the house.
Where to start: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220 is one of the most feature-rich yet most cost-effective smart dimmer switches we’ve tested. The HS220 has programmable buttons that can be scheduled and set to respond in different ways depending on how you press them. And since the HS220 is about the same price as many non-smart dimmer switches (and half the price of some smart models), it makes economic sense to have this dimmer switch installed throughout your home. .
smart led bulb
Preservation method: LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy traditional incandescent bulbs consume (about 90% less), and smart LED bulbs offer more versatility while also offering other ways to save energy. Offers. They are dimmable, reduce energy usage, can be put on automated schedules or set to turn off when you leave a room. You can find different types of bulbs and fixtures.
Where to start: There are many great options, but Wyze bulb colors are ideal. They’re relatively inexpensive, you can adjust the color to suit your tastes and whims, and they’re not only particularly bright, but they dim less than most light bulbs, so they’re perfect for any room in the house.
smart ceiling fan switch
Preservation method: Ceiling fans are an efficient and effective complement to both your home’s cooling and heating systems as they keep you directly cool in the summer and circulate the warm air trapped in the ceiling in the winter. Automating your ceiling fan to automatically turn on and off based on input from other devices eliminates the need to keep your HVAC system on frequently or for long periods of time.
Where to start: There are several ways to get a smart ceiling fan, such as buying a powerful but expensive smart model (see details in this blog post), but the most cost-effective way is to install a dedicated fan. to automate existing ceiling fans. Control wall switches such as the Lutron Caséta Smart Fan Control. This Lutron model has to be physically wired to the wall like a regular switch and relies on the optional Lutron Caséta Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH to connect to the internet. Once the switch is installed, you can create a daily schedule and pair your ceiling fan with your room sensor to turn it on when the room is too hot or too cold, and turn it off when the room is empty. . You can also communicate directly with your smart thermostat.
smart thermostat
Preservation method: Heating and cooling costs make up a large portion of your utility bill, typically about one-third. Better insulation and windows would be ideal, but with a smart thermostat, you can save energy by turning the setting up or down, making near-instantaneous savings without noticeably changing your comfort.
Where to start: The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced works with most climate control systems and in our tests did the best job of keeping your home consistently comfortable. This is due to the included remote sensor installed in excessively cool or hot areas to allow for It also takes relative humidity into account to calculate how long it takes to heat or cool your home and adjust temperatures to optimize savings. Ecobee says customers in North America can save him as much as 26%.
smart sprinkler controller
Preservation method: Garden and garden irrigation systems can keep gardens and vegetation green. There is a smart sprinkler controller that can be set up to water different types of land differently and create efficient schedules based on the weather to avoid watering too much or too little. can. The EPA says a WaterSense certified smart controller can save the average home 7,600 gallons of water per year (PDF).
Where to start: The Rachio 3 (available in 4-, 8-, or 16-zone versions and a 12-zone version exclusive to Costco) is simple enough to set up for home users, but also advanced for professional-level care. Offers. Its Weather Intelligence Plus feature can use hyperlocal weather forecasts to optimize irrigation and automatically create schedules without programming.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
