Smart technology is rapidly changing how we live and work, with smart plugs being one of the easiest and most convenient upgrades available. These devices replace traditional electrical outlets with Wi-Fi-enabled plugs, which allow users to control appliances and other devices remotely. With the rise of smart homes and businesses, smart plugs offer significant benefits, but they also come with a few potential drawbacks.
Before deciding to install smart plugs, it’s important to understand both the pros and cons. This guide will help you decide whether smart plugs are a worthwhile addition to your home or business.
Pro: Remote Control
One of the greatest advantages of smart plugs is the ability to control your devices remotely. Imagine you are coming home late at night. You want your house to be lit up when you arrive, but you don’t want to leave the lights on all day. With smart plugs, you can easily turn on your lights before you even step out of your car. This will ensure a well-lit home without wasting electricity.
This remote-control feature is also beneficial for businesses. Imagine a large workspace where someone left a light on at the far end of the building. Instead of walking across the entire facility, you can simply use an app on your smartphone to turn the light off. Smart plugs offer this convenience with just a tap.
Even better, smart plugs often integrate with voice assistant systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. You can assign names to devices, making it simple to use voice commands. For instance, if your house gets hot during the summer, you can simply say, “Turn on the living room fan,” and your smart assistant will handle the rest. It’s all about convenience and control.
Pro: Automated Scheduling
While the ability to control your devices remotely is fantastic, you can go a step further by setting automated schedules for your smart plugs. This feature is perfect for people with a consistent routine. For example, you could program your coffee maker to start brewing every morning at 6 a.m. By the time you finish your shower, your coffee will be ready to go. There is no need to fumble with buttons when you’re still half asleep.
In a business setting, scheduling can also improve efficiency. If your office opens at 8 a.m. every day, you can have smart plugs turn on lights, heating, or other equipment automatically at 7:45 a.m. Automating these tasks frees up time, allowing employees to focus on productive work instead of routine setups.
Pro: Conquering Energy Vampires
Many household devices, like televisions and game consoles, consume electricity even when they are not in use. These are often referred to as “energy vampires” because they continuously draw power. Over time, these small amounts of energy add up, increasing your utility bills.
Smart plugs can help you avoid this unnecessary energy consumption. Although smart plugs still use a tiny amount of energy themselves (typically less than 1 watt), they can completely cut off power to the devices they control when those devices are not in use. For households with multiple electronic devices plugged in around the clock, the savings can be substantial over time.
Many smart plugs also come with built-in energy monitoring tools. These allow you to track exactly how much energy each device is consuming. This feature can help you identify which devices are using more power than expected and where you can cut back. In some cases, you might even discover that an older appliance is nearing the end of its service life and drawing more power than it should. Some smart systems will even send alerts to prevent costly malfunctions if a device is drawing an unusual amount of electricity.
Pro: No Need for Bulky Adapters
Before smart plugs became widely available, people often used plug-in adapters to achieve similar effects. These adapters, however, come with their own set of drawbacks. They tend to stick out from the wall and can be unsightly. Worse, because they add bulk to your outlet, they can become loose over time as the weight of cords pulls them down.
Smart plugs are different because they replace the entire outlet, and this eliminates the need for clunky adapters. They sit flush with the wall and provide a cleaner, more stable appearance. This is especially useful if you have multiple devices plugged in, such as phone chargers or USB adapters, as it reduces clutter and provides a more aesthetically pleasing look.
Pro: Increasing Home Value
In today’s competitive real estate market, buyers are increasingly interested in smart home features. Installing smart plugs can increase the overall value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. When prospective buyers see that your home is equipped with smart technology, they may view it as a modern, move-in-ready place to live.
If you decide to sell your house, make sure to highlight the smart plugs and other smart home features in your listing. Potential buyers appreciate these upgrades, especially since they won’t have to install the technology themselves.
Pro: Customization Options
One of the best things about smart plugs is the ability to customize your home environment with ease. For instance, you can program multiple smart plugs to work together in coordination. If you enjoy watching movies with dim lighting, you could set your smart plugs to lower the lights automatically when you turn on the TV. This level of customization enhances your living space and helps you create the ideal atmosphere for any occasion.
Con: Up-Front Costs
As with most advanced technology, smart plugs come with a higher initial cost compared to traditional outlets. The electronics that power these devices are more expensive to produce, and if you want professional installation, that will add to the cost as well. While smart plugs can save you money in the long run by reducing energy consumption, the up-front investment may deter some people.
Con: Internet Dependency
Smart plugs rely heavily on internet connectivity. If your Wi-Fi goes down, or you experience network problems, your smart plugs may not work as expected. This is especially frustrating if you are trying to control devices remotely from outside your home, or if you rely on smart plugs for essential functions. To mitigate this issue, it is a good idea to keep some critical devices, like your refrigerator, connected to a regular outlet.
Additionally, if you plan to use smart plugs for any devices that require constant operation, like a heater or humidifier, it is important to set up schedules in advance. That way, if the internet goes out, the devices can continue operating as programmed.
Con: Limited Support for High-Powered Devices
While smart plugs are great for low- to medium-powered devices, they are not always suitable for high-powered appliances like air conditioners or space heaters. Finding smart plugs that support high loads can be difficult, and they tend to be more expensive. You may need to look into specialized smart devices designed for higher wattage if you want to control large appliances.
Mixed: Compatibility
Compatibility is another factor to consider when choosing smart plugs. Most smart plugs are compatible with popular home automation systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. However, if you are using a less common system or want everything on a single platform, it’s important to double-check compatibility before purchasing. Thankfully, compatibility with mainstream systems tends to be high, but it is still important to verify.
Call the Pros
Potts Electric offers professional installation of smart plugs and other smart home technologies in Greater St. Louis, MO and the surrounding areas. Ask us about our wiring solutions, too! Our experienced electricians can help you set up a customized system that fits your lifestyle.
Contact our team at Potts Electric today to learn more about our services and how we can help you upgrade your home!