It's no secret that smart devices are becoming more and more popular. And while some people might think they're just a trend, there's actually a lot of practicality to the devices, especially when it comes to saving energy.
One of the most popular smart devices on the market right now is smart plugs. And while they might not seem like much, they can actually have a big impact on your energy consumption.
But do smart plugs really save energy? Let's take a closer look.
Smart Plugs and Energy Consumption
The smart plug's purpose isn't to save electricity—its main role is to turn dumb appliances into smart ones.
The beauty of the technology is that it allows you to control your devices and appliances remotely. So instead of getting up and turning something off physically, you can do it with the click of a button or voice command if you connect the smart plug with Alexa or even Google Assistant or Apple's Siri.
But because they're constantly monitoring your energy usage, smart plugs can give you a better understanding of how much power your appliances are using.
The good thing about this is that it can help you save energy in the long run. By turning appliances and devices off and on remotely, you can avoid leaving them on unnecessarily, which can save a lot of energy.
But even when the appliances connected to the smart plug are turned off, the plug itself is still using a small amount of energy. This is because they need to stay connected to your home's Wi-Fi network so that you can control them with your phone or another device.
However, the amount of energy that smart plugs use when they're turned off is minimal. In fact, it's so small that it probably won't even make a dent in your electricity bill.
How to Use Smart Plugs to Save Energy
While smart plugs alone won't save you a ton of energy, they can be a helpful tool in saving energy if used correctly. Here are some tips on how to use smart plugs to save energy.
Tracking Energy Usage
A smart plug can help you get a more accurate picture of your energy usage. By tracking the energy consumption of specific appliances and devices, you can get a better idea of which ones are using more energy than others.
This information can be useful in changing your habits and routines to save energy. A lot of household items are eating up your electricity without you even knowing it.
Most smart plugs come with an app that lets you track the energy usage of the plugged devices. This way, you can see how much energy your TV consumes, for example, and make changes accordingly.
You can also set up alerts so that you're notified when a particular device has been on for a certain amount of time. This can help you avoid leaving devices on unnecessarily.
You can easily calculate the electricity costs of an appliance by using a smart plug. This will give you a better idea of how much money you're spending on power every month.
Scheduling Shutdowns
Another great way to use smart plugs to save energy is by scheduling when your devices and appliances are turned off. This can be especially helpful if you have devices that don't need to be on all the time, like a TV or coffee maker.
By scheduling when these devices are turned off, you can ensure that they're not left on unnecessarily. This can save a significant amount of energy over time.
Most smart plugs come with scheduling capabilities, so you can easily set up a schedule for your devices. Once you have a schedule set up, you don't need to worry about forgetting to turn off your devices–the smart plug will do it for you.
For example, you can set your TV to turn off automatically at 10 p.m. so that you're not wasting energy by leaving it on all night. Or, you can schedule your coffee maker to turn on a few minutes before you wake up to be ready to go when you need it.
Cutting Phantom Loads
One of the biggest benefits of using smart plugs is that they can help you cut down on phantom loads.
Phantom loads are the electricity that devices use even when they're turned off. This happens because most devices, like TVs and computers, have standby power modes that keep them partially powered even when they're not in use.
However, when you use a smart plug to turn off devices completely, you can avoid phantom loads. This is because the plug will cut off all power to the device, so it won't use any energy even when it's turned off.
While phantom loads may not seem like a big deal, they can actually add up over time. In fact, phantom loads account for a surprising amount of energy consumption, as much as 20% of your home's total electricity usage, according to NRDC.
Using smart plugs to cut down on phantom loads can save a significant amount of energy.
Do Smart Plugs Really Save Energy?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Smart plugs can save you a lot of energy and money.
Smart plugs are a great place to start if you're looking for ways to cut down on your energy consumption. Just be sure to use them wisely so that you can maximize your savings.