6 Smart Devices That Save You Energy

Published on April 2, 2025

by Alex Keeps

Smart devices do more than add convenience—they can help you lower your energy use, reduce waste, and shrink your utility bills. Whether you’re focused on the environment or just looking to spend less, the right tech makes it easier to manage energy automatically and efficiently.

Why Energy-Saving Smart Devices Matter

Traditional energy-saving tips rely on habits: turning off lights, unplugging devices, adjusting thermostats. Smart devices take that a step further by automating these tasks, optimizing usage, and responding in real time to your lifestyle and environment.

By upgrading just a few items in your home, you can make energy efficiency part of your daily routine—without even thinking about it. These devices are practical, often affordable, and work silently in the background to cut energy waste.

Energy-Saving Smart Devices Worth Having

These six devices deliver meaningful energy efficiency—without changing your routine.

1. Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat adjusts your heating and cooling based on your routine, preferences, and presence.

Why it saves energy:

Learns your temperature habits automatically
Avoids heating or cooling when no one’s home
Can reduce energy bills by 10–20%
Controlled remotely via phone or voice
Supports zoned climate control in some homes

2. Smart Plugs

Smart plugs let you turn off appliances remotely or on a schedule to avoid phantom energy use.

Energy-saving benefits include:

Eliminates standby power from idle devices
Creates daily or weekly shutoff schedules
Can be grouped and controlled in scenes
Ideal for TVs, coffee makers, and routers
Often priced under $25 per unit

3. Smart Lighting

Smart bulbs and switches help reduce lighting use through schedules, motion detection, and dimming.

Here’s how they help lower energy usage:

Turn lights off automatically when no one’s in the room
Dim bulbs to use less electricity
Use voice or app control to eliminate waste
Bulbs use less power than traditional ones
Automate with sunrise/sunset triggers

4. Smart Power Strips

Smart power strips detect idle devices and cut power to them automatically.

Why these are smarter than regular strips:

Shuts off power to unused devices
Avoids vampire drain from printers, consoles, etc.
Often includes surge protection features
Great for entertainment or office zones
Some models support app control or energy tracking

5. Smart Blinds or Shades

Automated window treatments open or close to regulate temperature and lighting.

How these help reduce energy needs:

Block direct sunlight to reduce A/C usage
Let in sunlight to warm your space in winter
Can be scheduled or respond to weather changes
Maintain indoor comfort more naturally
Useful in rooms with large or south-facing windows

6. Energy Monitoring Devices

Smart monitors show you real-time energy consumption so you can take control of wasteful habits.

How monitoring leads to savings:

Reveal which devices consume the most power
Track trends and spikes in usage
Encourages more mindful habits
Some models integrate with smart meters or plugs
Data helps reduce monthly utility costs

Why This Matters

Saving energy isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s good for the planet. These devices reduce waste, shrink your footprint, and help you build a more responsible home. Even small changes add up over time, especially when they run automatically.

With smart tech handling the adjustments, you won’t have to remember every switch or dial. The result? A more efficient home that works with you, not against you.

Tips for Beginners

New to energy-saving devices? Start small and look for high-impact areas like heating or lighting.

Use these beginner strategies to get results fast:

Start with smart plugs to cut phantom energy
Replace the most-used lights with smart bulbs
Install a thermostat with scheduling features
Look for Energy Star-certified smart devices
Track progress with an energy monitoring app

Further Advice for an Energy-Smart Home

As your smart home grows, your energy strategy can evolve with it. Combine data, automation, and awareness for maximum impact.

Use these long-term strategies to improve savings:

Create scenes that turn off multiple devices at once
Review energy reports monthly for habits and trends
Use seasonal routines to adjust climate and lighting
Test occupancy sensors in low-use rooms

Takeaway

Smart home tech doesn’t just make life easier—it helps you live smarter. By using energy-saving devices, you can cut costs, reduce your impact, and feel good knowing your home is working more efficiently every day.