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Smart home devices can make your life easier, safer, and even a little more fun, but when used correctly, they’re also great at making your home more energy and resource efficient.
You can install any of these devices and experience the benefits immediately without any hassle or money. If you install several, not only will they work together, but your savings can be even greater.
Efficiency and savings come from the ability of smart devices to automatically perform tasks such as adjusting the thermostat at night or turning off lights when you’re away. The following collection is culled from our top picks from various guides on smart home devices. Our guides are a great resource for understanding more about how these devices work, how to use them, and how to take advantage of the features you’ll enjoy most.
plug-in smart outlet
Preservation method: Plug-in smart outlets (or smart plugs) let you remove inefficient or simply forgotten devices around your home, like a desk light in your basement workshop, a desk fan that runs 24/7, or a white noise machine. You can easily tighten the reins on your device. soon. Connect almost any on/off device to a smart switch to schedule its operating time, turn it on or off remotely using an app, or use other devices like thermostats or motion detectors to act as triggers. You can also pair it with Or activate it through voice commands 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 that it has a built-in energy tracking feature that lets you know how much energy your connected devices are using over time, allowing you to If you think you’re using too much energy, you can find out by connecting your device to a Kasa switch and letting it track your energy usage over 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, the weatherproof, two-outlet TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40 is recommended. independently controlled.
Smart dimmer switch and motion detector
Preservation method: Dimming just one light bulb won’t save you much energy or money. However, installing smart dimmer switches throughout your home can lower your lighting bill. Smart switches allow you to dim fixtures and banks of light bulbs all at once to reduce energy usage. You can group them across your home to work on them at the same time, and you can even put them on automatic schedules or trigger them to start 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 smart dimmer switches we’ve tested, and at the same time one of the most cost-effective smart dimmer switches. The HS220 has programmable buttons that can be scheduled and have different reactions depending on how you press them. The HS220 is also about the same price as many non-smart dimmer switches (half the price of some smart models), so it makes economic sense to install this dimmer switch throughout your home.
smart led bulb
Preservation method: LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy (approximately 90% less) than traditional incandescent bulbs. Smart LED bulbs are also more versatile and offer other ways to save energy. It’s dimmable to reduce energy usage and can be set to an automatic schedule or to turn off when you leave the room. Nowadays, you can find many different types of light bulbs and light fixtures that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Where to start: There are many great options, but the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED is ideal. It’s relatively inexpensive, the colors can be adjusted to suit your tastes and whims, and it’s particularly bright and has a wide color temperature range, making it a great addition to any room in your home.
smart ceiling fan switch
Preservation method: Ceiling fans efficiently and effectively supplement both your home’s heating and cooling systems by keeping you cool directly in the summer and circulating warm air trapped in the ceiling in the winter. Automating your ceiling fans allows them to automatically turn on or off based on a set schedule or input from other devices, reducing the frequency and time you have to turn on your HVAC system.
Where to start: There are several ways to obtain a smart ceiling fan, including purchasing a high-performance but expensive smart model (see this blog post for more information). However, the most cost-effective method is to automate your existing ceiling fan by installing a dedicated fan. Control wall switches such as the Lutron Caséta smart fan control. This Lutron model of his requires physical wiring to the wall like a regular switch, and also requires his optional Lutron Caséta Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH to connect to the internet. Once the switch is installed, create a daily schedule and pair the ceiling fan with a room sensor so the fan turns on when the room is too hot or too cold and turns off when the room is empty. Can be set. It can also communicate directly with smart thermostats.
smart thermostat
Preservation method: Heating and cooling costs make up a large portion of your utility bill, typically around one-third. Improving your insulation and windows is ideal, but a smart thermostat allows you to raise or lower settings to conserve energy without making a noticeable difference in comfort, making savings almost instantaneous. .
Where to start: The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced works with most climate control systems, and in our testing, it did the best job of keeping your home consistently comfortable. These results are likely a result of using the optional remote sensor. Remote sensors are placed in areas that are excessively cool or hot to help the thermostat create a more even temperature in your home. It also takes into account relative humidity to calculate how long it takes to heat or cool your home and adjust the temperature to optimize savings. According to Ecobee, North American customers can save as much as 26%.
smart sprinkler controller
Preservation method: A garden and garden irrigation system can ensure that your garden and vegetation stay green. But if you don’t monitor it carefully, you can waste a huge amount of water by irrigating when it’s not needed. Set up a smart sprinkler controller to water different types of land differently and create efficient schedules based on the weather so you never water too much or too little. can do. The EPA says WaterSense-certified smart controllers can save the average household 7,600 gallons of water per year (PDF).
Where to start: Rachio 3 (available in 4-, 8-, or 16-zone versions and a Costco-exclusive 12-zone version) is simple enough to set up for home users, yet sophisticated enough for professional-level care. It also provides settings. The Weather Intelligence Plus feature uses hyperlocal weather forecasts to optimize watering and automatically create schedules without programming.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.