Do Smart Plugs Save Energy?

This article teaches you how smart plugs can save you energy and money in your home and looks at the issues that can occur by using them. 

How Much Energy Do Smart Plugs Use?

Typically, a smart plug uses about 1 Watt of power when in standby mode, depending on the type of connection it uses. Because a smart plug is connected to something else in your home to work correctly, it's always somewhat active. However, if you have a smart plug that connects via Wi-Fi, it's likely to only ever use about 1 to 2 Watts at the absolute most each day. 

If your smart plug connects via the ZigBee or Z-Wave standards, expect it to use even less. The average consumption is about 0.3-0.6 Watts. Whichever type you go for, the energy usage is negligible on your bills. 

Can Smart Plugs Save You Money?

For the most part, yes. While you'll need to spend money on buying smart plugs initially, you should recoup your expenses over time due to the energy-saving capabilities they offer. 

As always with any smart technology, it's essential to set your smart plugs up correctly, so they switch on and off at the correct times for your needs.

Are Smart Plugs Worth It?

For many users, smart plugs are worth it. They use less energy than other devices providing they're set up correctly. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and CLEAResult found that using smart plugs saves between 1 and 4.58% of energy usage or about 500-1000 Kilowatts each year. That works out as about a month's worth of energy for many households. 

That's because a smart plug will use less energy than the device it's switching on and off. Imagine a device that's always left plugged in; it's not in use but still drawing power. Some of these devices can use a significant amount of energy. This power draw is known as a "phantom load." Each item adds a tiny amount of power to your electricity bill, but it can add up. That's why using a smart plug can help.

It's essential, however, to use your smart plug efficiently. Installing the device itself won't necessarily save you energy and money, but setting it up so other devices only switch on and off as needed will save you money and help you consume less power. 

What Issues Do Smart Plugs Have?

Smart plugs have to pass the same standard safety guidelines as any other electrical device you'd plug into your wall socket. That means, providing you buy from a reputable source, you won't have to worry about any issues.

The other potential issue is the risk of hacking. Particularly in the early days of smart plugs, some devices were vulnerable to hacking attempts. These days, that risk is much lower. Again, make sure you buy from a reputable brand to ensure your device is safe. If it's too good to be true, steer clear.