Smart plugs are small Wi-Fi enabled power adapters that connect to your home network. They manage electricity flow for connected devices and can be operated from an app or voice assistant like Alexa.
Some smart plugs also monitor energy use and allow you to set schedules so devices turn on/off at specific times. This helps minimize phantom energy use, which could lower your monthly utility bill.
How to Set Up
Smart plugs are Wi-Fi enabled power adapters that let you control and automate any devices or appliances plugged into it through an app. In addition to basic functions like turning on or off a device, many smart plugs offer additional benefits that save time, money, and energy.
One of the key advantages many smart plugs provide is the ability to schedule a device’s on and off times of day. This feature can be especially beneficial for energy-efficient homes, helping reduce your electricity bill and reducing how much energy is used to run your house.
Some smart plugs can also be connected with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa. This means you can control non-smart devices with commands from Alexa, such as turning on/off a lamp before you wake up in the morning or setting a coffee maker to begin prior to leaving for work.
To set up your smart plug, start by installing its dedicated app on a compatible smartphone or tablet. This app allows you to select which model of smart plug you wish to use and provides instructions for pairing it with your device.
Once you are ready to begin pairing, press the power button on your smart plug for a few seconds until it enters pairing mode. This will activate its Wi-Fi connection and link it to your home network.
Once connected to your network, your smart plug will appear as a new device in the app. You can add it to a smart home group for management alongside other devices in your smart home.
Connecting a smart plug to a home group is an excellent way to keep track of which devices are on and off in your house, which can come in handy if you’re away for vacation and forget to turn off the TV.
What to Look For
Smart home devices have made huge advances over the last few years. They’re affordable and simple to set up, connecting to mobile apps or voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Not only can these save you money on electricity bills, reduce CO2 emissions, and keep your house secure – but they can also help cut down on security risks too!
Starting is usually as easy as plugging an appliance into a smart plug and connecting it to your WiFi network using its companion app or smart home platform. Many of these devices also allow you to set schedules, routines, and other automation features for added convenience.
Tracking energy usage allows you to monitor how much power is used and many offer the option to automatically switch an appliance off or on according to a schedule, helping save you money on bills. This feature can be especially handy if you’re thinking about upgrading an older, inefficient appliance.
Some plugs also enable you to control the brightness of your appliances based on time of day or when away. This is especially helpful for lamps, nightlights and fans.
The best smart plugs are tailored to meet a range of needs and offer surge protection as well. Some are multi-plug devices that let you control multiple devices simultaneously; others are single plug designs that cover two wall sockets simultaneously.
When shopping for a voice assistant plug, Apple HomeKit is often the go-to option, but other choices include Google Assistant and Alexa.
It’s wise to determine whether your plug requires a hub, which is an adapter that connects both your router and plug. Doing so allows for remote control with your smart speaker or voice assistant, as well as helping reset the plug if it loses connection to your home Wi-Fi network.
Smart plugs come in a range of features and designs, all sharing some common elements. When shopping for one that meets your budget, complements your home decor, and works with the voice assistant you use most, be sure to take into account its size and shape so it doesn’t obstruct another outlet.
What to Avoid
Smart plugs offer a convenient and effortless way to control and schedule your devices from your smartphone or tablet. They can even be controlled by voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa, enabling you to turn off and on any device with just one command.
Have you ever unplugged an appliance only to discover it still drawing power, then turned off the light? You know the frustration this can cause – known as a vampire draw or phantom load. Dealing with such issues is often tedious and time-consuming.
With a smart plug, you can turn off these devices easily and remotely, saving energy while cutting down on their usage. Plus, with certain models of smart plug, it’s even possible to set up an automated schedule so they turn off at the same time every night.
Smart plugs come with a range of features. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth plugs both connect to your smartphone via wireless signal, allowing you to control them via an app.
Some can also be used to control other smart devices in your home, with most of them featuring voice-activated assistants. You can set a timer so that your children’s game systems, TVs and phones turn off automatically when you go to bed and then turn them back on again when you wake up in the morning.
Saving energy and hassle can be a breeze when appliances are placed in rooms you won’t be using regularly. Plus, you could use them to control your air conditioning – an economical way to keep rooms cool without using up a lot of energy.
These plugs also allow you to monitor your energy use, giving you a clear overview of how much you’re paying each month for electricity. With this data, you can identify where savings are going and decide whether any changes need to be made to existing habits.
Smart plugs can be an invaluable aid in cutting your energy bills, but it’s essential to only use them when necessary. They should never replace other measures such as adjusting lighting or turning off unnecessary equipment; rather, smart plugs should only be utilized when the appliance or device being controlled isn’t in use.