Energy saving with smart devices
Updated
Thermostats, standby power, time-of-use rates and energy monitoring: what saves money, how much, and calculators to check it for your home.
Heating and cooling make up the largest share of most home energy bills, so the thermostat is where smart devices save the most. ENERGY STAR reports average savings of about 8% on heating and cooling for certified smart thermostats. Smart plugs, by contrast, save little unless they cut real standby loads or shift usage to cheaper hours.
Use our calculators with your own electricity rate before buying: a device that saves $5 a year does not pay back a $25 plug.
Start with the device energy cost calculator.
Calculators 5
CalculatorDevice energy cost calculatorEnter watts (or amps), hours of use and your electricity rate to see what any appliance or smart device costs per hour, month and year, standby…CalculatorSmart plug standby savings calculatorPick the devices that sit in standby, say how many hours a day a smart plug would cut their power, and see the dollars saved per year, the plug’s…CalculatorSmart thermostat savings estimateEnter your heating and cooling costs, the setback you would use and the thermostat price to see a realistic savings range and payback, based on…CalculatorLED bulb savings calculatorCompare old incandescent bulbs with LED or smart LED bulbs: enter how many, the watts, hours per day and your rate to see the dollars saved per…CalculatorSpace heater cost calculatorEnter the heater’s watts, hours of use and your electricity rate to see what a space heater costs per hour, day, month and season, and how that…
Kits 2
KitEnergy-saving smart home kitA certified smart thermostat, three energy-monitoring plugs, a standby-cutting power strip and optional LED smart bulbs: the shopping list that…KitSmart thermostat installation kit: tools, parts and the thermostatA compatible thermostat, a non-contact voltage tester, a screwdriver set and wire labels are the basics. Optional parts cover a missing C-wire, a…
Guides 18
GuideSmart thermostat without a C-wire: your real optionsNo C-wire at the wall plate? Most homes can still run a smart thermostat. Check your wiring in ten minutes, pick the fix that fits your system and…GuideEnergy-monitoring smart plugs: what the numbers meanAn energy-monitoring smart plug reports watts, kilowatt-hours and cost for what is plugged in. See what the readings mean, where they fall short…GuideWhich devices use the most standby power at homeStandby power is electricity a device uses while “off” or idle. Learn which categories of devices draw the most, how to measure yours, and which…GuideWhat temperature to set your thermostat to save moneyThe Department of Energy points to 68–70°F when you are awake in winter, a setback of 7–10°F for 8 hours a day and 78°F in summer. Here is how to…GuideSmart thermostat rebates and free thermostat offers from utilitiesMany utilities discount or even give away smart thermostats. Learn where to look, what you agree to in demand response programs, and which…GuideSmart plug and space heater: is it safe?A space heater is the hardest load you can put on a smart plug. Here is the math, what the heater manual and fire agencies say, and the safer ways…GuideSmart thermostat for a heat pump: what to checkHeat pumps need a thermostat that handles reversing valves and backup heat. Check your wires, the aux heat controls and compatibility before you…GuideTime-of-use rates: automating your home around peak hoursOn a time-of-use plan, the same kilowatt-hour costs more at peak hours. Learn how to read your rate, which loads are worth shifting and how to…GuideWhole-home energy monitor: what it shows and whether to buyA panel-mounted energy monitor shows where your electricity goes, but it does not save energy by itself and the installation involves live wiring.…GuideSmart control for an electric water heaterA timer or smart controller can trim water heating costs on time-of-use plans or while you are away. Learn what to check, why 240 V wiring needs…GuideHow to make a window air conditioner smartYou can make a window AC smart with a Wi-Fi IR controller, a smart plug on some models, or a unit with Wi-Fi built in. Learn which route fits your…GuideSmart control for a ductless mini-splitA mini-split does not use a 24 V wall thermostat. Compare the maker’s Wi-Fi module, a universal IR controller and wired options, and learn where…GuideSmart thermostat for electric baseboard heatElectric baseboard heaters run on 120 or 240 volts, so a standard 24 V smart thermostat will not work. Here is how to confirm your system, read…GuideAre smart vents worth it?Smart vents promise room-by-room comfort, but closing too many registers can strain your HVAC. Learn the risks, the limits to respect and what to…GuideIs a smart sprinkler controller worth it? Savings, wiring and setupA smart sprinkler controller can cut outdoor water use by adjusting to weather or soil. Learn what EPA WaterSense says it saves, how to check your…GuideSmart home insurance discounts: which devices count and what to askSome insurers credit leak sensors, shutoff valves, smoke alarms and monitored alarms; others do not. Learn which devices tend to count, what proof…GuideWhich smart thermostat fits your HVAC systemMatch a smart thermostat to your equipment before you buy: single-stage, two-stage, heat pump, dual-fuel, baseboard or millivolt. Check wires,…GuideUPS or surge protector: which one your home office needsA surge protector limits voltage spikes. A UPS also keeps devices running for a few minutes when the power drops. Which one you need depends on…
Comparisons 3
ComparisonSmart thermostat vs programmable thermostat: is the upgrade worth it?A programmable thermostat follows a fixed schedule for $25–$60. A smart one adds Wi-Fi, learning, away detection and sensors for $80–$280. See…ComparisonSmart plugs or a smart power strip: which suits a living roomA smart plug controls one device. A smart power strip controls several outlets, often with surge protection. Here is how to pick for a TV stand,…ComparisonEnergy-monitoring plugs vs a whole-home energy monitorPlug-in monitors show one device at a time. A whole-home monitor reads your electrical panel. Compare cost, what each can see, installation and…