Last month, Sarah— a remote worker who’d kitted out her apartment with smart lights, a thermostat, and a voice assistant— stared at her energy bill in shock. It was 20% higher than usual. After some digging, she realized her smart lights were on all day during meetings, and her thermostat was cranked up when she was out grabbing coffee. She decided to try one small change: scheduling her lights to turn off during work hours. Within a month, her bill dropped by 15%. If you’re like Sarah and want to make your smart home work for your wallet and the planet, here are four ways to do it.
1. Schedule Devices to Turn Off Automatically
Most smart devices come with built-in scheduling features in their apps. For example, you can set your smart lights to turn off at 10 PM and on at 6 AM, or your thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re at work. Sarah used this trick for her lights— she set them to turn off during her 9-to-5 meetings and on again when she took breaks. It took her 10 minutes to set up, and she didn’t have to think about it again.
2. Tweak Power Settings for Eco Mode
Many smart devices have hidden eco-friendly settings. Smart thermostats like Nest or Ecobee let you set an “eco mode” that adjusts the temperature slightly to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Smart lights can be dimmed to 50% brightness (which uses half the energy) for evening use. The key here is to experiment: try dimming your lights for a week or setting your thermostat 2 degrees lower in winter— you might not even notice the difference, but your bill will.
3. Monitor Energy Use with Smart Tools
Smart energy monitors (like Sense or Emporia) plug into your home’s electrical panel and track how much energy each device uses. They send real-time data to your phone, so you can see exactly which devices are hogging power. For example, if you notice your smart TV is using 100 watts even when it’s “off,” you can unplug it or set it to a deeper sleep mode. These monitors cost between $50 and $200, but they pay for themselves in savings over time.
4. Upgrade to ENERGY STAR Certified Smart Devices
ENERGY STAR certified smart devices are designed to use less energy than non-certified ones. For example, an ENERGY STAR smart bulb uses 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and lasts 25 times longer. A certified smart thermostat can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs annually, according to the EPA. While these devices cost more upfront (a certified bulb is $5-$10 vs. $1 for incandescent), the long-term savings are worth it.
To help you choose the right option, here’s a comparison of the four ways:
| Way | Effort Level | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule Devices | Low | Free | Immediate savings, easy setup | Needs adjustment for routine changes |
| Eco Mode Settings | Medium | Free | Customizable, no extra tools | Requires consistent habit |
| Energy Monitors | Medium | $50-$200 | Identifies energy hogs, precise data | Initial investment, technical setup |
| ENERGY STAR Upgrade | High | $10-$200 per device | Long-term savings, better performance | Upfront cost |
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” — Benjamin Franklin
This classic saying rings true for energy savings. Every kilowatt-hour you save translates to more money in your pocket. Sarah’s 15% bill reduction meant an extra $30 a month— enough for a coffee date or a new book.
Common Question: Do Smart Devices Use More Energy Than Traditional Ones?
Q: I’ve heard smart devices use standby power even when they’re off. Is that true, and does it cancel out their energy-saving benefits?
A: It’s true that some smart devices (like voice assistants) use a small amount of standby power (usually 1-5 watts). But their energy-saving features often offset this. For example, a smart thermostat can save 10% on heating and cooling costs— which is way more than the standby power it uses. ENERGY STAR certified devices are even better, as they’re designed to minimize standby power use.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire smart home to save energy. Start with one small change— like scheduling your lights or adjusting your thermostat’s eco mode. Over time, these changes add up to big savings for you and the planet.
