Let’s say, for example, that your smart doorbell or smart security cameras spot a potential intruder while you’re out or away, some of the cleverer smart plugs can be set up to switch on a lamp indoors, making it look like you’re home. If you’re looking to really build up a smart home, it’s important to pick smart plugs that will work with your other smart devices. And while we’re on the subject, you can set smart plugs to prevent latent energy use by devices while they’re turned off. Handy as we all become more environmentally conscientious. And this, of course, can encourage you to swap out expensive devices or energy-guzzling lightbulbs for more eco-friendly ones. But some smart plugs, such as the WeMo Insight (opens in new tab) can go further, tracking how much energy a device is using and giving you the cost, too. Of course, if your lights and appliances can be switched off from afar, you can cut your electricity bills. Want your garden lights to come on and off when you’re away, too? Or simply want to set a schedule for them for summer or winter? Anything outdoors that’s plugged in via a smart plug designed for exterior use can be controlled in the same way as smart plugs for indoors. But instead of fiddling with the timings manually like on old plug-in timers, you control the schedule for your smart-plugged-in-lamps via your phone or smart assistant (whether you’re home or away already). Just like we used to set plug-in timers to make our lights come on and off when we’re away, good quality smart plugs have an ‘away’ mode, too, meaning your smart-plugged-in lamps, for example, will come on and off at intervals while you’re on holiday, just like they would if you were home. Make it look like you’re home when you’re away So, you could create a lighting zone with all the table lamps in your living room, for example, and control all of them at once: ‘Google, turn on the living room lighting’ could be your set up instruction – and boom, each living room smart plug connected to a table lamp will switch it on. Some smart plugs will work as a group to create zones. So, you can instruct your smart plug – via the app – to turn your lamps on and off automatically at set times or to start brewing your coffee at a set time every morning. Or perhaps you’re on the sofa and want to start a pot of coffee brewing – you can ask your smart assistant to turn on the coffee machine with the simple instruction: ‘Alexa, put the coffee machine on’ – in other words, you don’t even need to remember the number of the smart plug it’s that simple.īetter still, a smart plug can be programmed just like any other smart home gadget or device to create schedules. So, if you’re away overnight, you can use the app on your phone make your home look occupied by turning lights on and off as if you were at home. With the smart plug, you can instantly turn them it on and off remotely. Let’s say you’ve plugged a basic lamp or plain old coffee maker into the smart plug. It’s worth working out what you’d like your smart plugs to do for you before you buy so that you ensure get the service you want from them.Ī smart plug can turn an appliance that isn’t smart (in other words, smartphone or smart assistant enabled) into one that is, instantly. Not all smart plugs are created equal, but good quality ones can manage most of the features below. They needn’t be expensive – good quality buys start from around £25/$30 each for single smart plugs smart plug strips cost a little more. (Image credit: Amazon) HOW MUCH IS A SMART PLUG?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |