Smart plug tips that quickly automate your home

Smart plugs let you control ordinary devices from an app, by voice, or on a schedule, turning “dumb” gadgets into parts of a smarter home. They can be used for convenience, safety and energy savings. Use smart plugs to deter intruders by scheduling indoor and outdoor lights to come on when you’re away.

You can also cut power to a garage-door opener at night to prevent unauthorized entry, or link a motion sensor to a plug so a light turns on when movement is detected. Create motion-activated lighting without rewiring by using an Echo Dot or other occupancy sensor with a smart plug.

Combine that with an auto-off timer so lights don’t stay on indefinitely. Occupancy sensors tend to be more reliable than simple motion sensors for this purpose. Improve climate comfort and lower cooling costs by plugging fans or space heaters into smart plugs. You can ask a voice assistant to run a fan, or connect a temperature sensor or smart thermostat to trigger a plug only when a room reaches a certain temperature.

Increase safety around hot tools by putting curling irons, flat irons, soldering stations or glue guns on smart plugs. You can check and cut power remotely from your phone or turn them on and off with a voice assistant. Limit kids’ screen time by plugging TVs or game consoles into smart plugs and scheduling when they can receive power.

Key Topics

Tech, United States, Smart Plugs, Home Automation, Energy Saving, Home Security, Parenting