Are smart plugs worth it? Find out if smart plug could benefit you

There are lots of smart plugs on the market, all offering ways to help you save energy and reduce costs. But how do they really work? And do they live up to expectations? And most importantly… 

…do they actually save you money? 

Let's take a closer look and explore how these devices function and evaluate their potential to improve energy efficiency, so you can decide if they are the right choice for your house.  

We took a deep dive into what people are saying on Reddit about smart plugs, exploring real user experiences and opinions. This gave us valuable insights into the benefits and limitations people encounter, from struggles with scheduling to discovering creative uses for these devices. Here are some real quotes from subreddits such as r/googlehome and r/smarthome. 

“If you stick to known brands they're safe. 

Regarding power consumption, sometimes a smart plug may require more power in standby than the device you wanted to stop spending standby energy.” 

At worst it is a hobby for me that lets me code, solder and think. While it sounds silly I do actually enjoy it.” 

“My smart plugs definitely save me money, I have two forgetful teenagers that never remember to turn off appliances at night or when not in use.” 

“Yes. Smart home it’s a money saver. For sure. Aside the convenience, you can create scenarios that will save you energy. I payed about 3k euros in my home automation and already saved me from replacing the wooden floor that was also 3k euros by detecting a flood in the kitchen and stopping the water and sending me a notification. I wasn’t home and not even able to go home right away. Back to scenarios, some lights in my home are programmed to turnffof after a period of time. Some transit areas are even more strict by turning on and off as I a go by and only if it’s dark. The tv and other electronics in home theatre area use a lot of power even when they’re off.” 

While some people say smart plugs are totally worth it, other recognize that they did not succeed in achieving significant savings. One thing is clear, people enjoy integrating smart plugs into their house for all sorts of reasons, even they don’t always save money.  

For many, autonomation is a fun hobby or a creative outlet for side projects. The advantages really depend on how each individual uses them. Let’s take a look at the advantages and limitations of these devices and the things you need to consider before investing in smart plugs. 

Smart plugs often come with energy monitoring features that show how much power a device has used over time. While this information can be insightful, it’s provided after the energy has already been consumed. This makes it a helpful tool for understanding usage patterns and planning adjustments, but it doesn’t offer immediate savings on electricity already used. 

One of the key features of smart plugs is scheduling, allowing you to set specific times for devices to turn on or off. This can reduce wasted energy, but it requires some planning and adjustments based on your daily routines. For those willing to invest a little time in setting schedules, it can be an effective way to cut back on unnecessary energy use. 

The ability to control devices remotely via a smartphone app adds convenience and flexibility. For instance, if you forget to turn off a lamp or a fan, you can easily switch it off from anywhere. While this feature helps prevent wasted energy, it still relies on you taking action when needed. 

Smart plugs can integrate with broader smart home setups, such as pairing with motion sensors or thermostats. This allows for automated routines, like turning off lights when a room is empty. However, the effectiveness of these integrations depends on how well they fit into your existing systems and routines. 

Many devices continue to consume power in standby mode, a phenomenon often referred to as phantom power. Smart plugs can cut off power completely when a device is not in use, helping to reduce this waste. While the savings might not be huge, it’s a simple way to improve overall efficiency. 

For households on time-of-use energy tariffs, smart plugs can be scheduled to run appliances during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. While this can save money, it does require some planning and awareness of your energy provider’s pricing structure. 

Smart plugs offer practical benefits in many scenarios, such as: 

Morning Coffee: Automatically starting your coffee maker before you wake up. 

Holiday Lights: Turning lights on and off at specific times without manual intervention. 

Space Heaters: Ensuring heaters run only when needed, reducing unnecessary energy use. 

While these examples add convenience, the actual cost savings depend on how consistently you use these features. 

Balancing Convenience and Efficiency 

 Smart plugs are helpful tools for managing energy, but they’re not a complete solution. They provide insights and automation, but their effectiveness depends largely on how they’re used. For those willing to put in some effort, they can complement broader energy-saving strategies and help reduce electricity costs over time. 

Final Thoughts 

Smart plugs can save money and add convenience, but their benefits depend on how actively they’re managed. They’re best suited for people looking to take a hands-on approach to energy efficiency. If that sounds like you, a smart plug might be a great addition to your home’s energy-saving toolkit.  

Stay tuned to find out how Quarta has addressed these challenges with innovative solutions designed to deliver real savings.   

Do you own a smart plug? Tell us how it is working for you!