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Beyond The Clapper: 7 Surprisingly Useful Ways to Automate Your Home with smart Plugs
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transform ordinary appliances into smart devices, bolster your home security, and even save money on your energy bill with these clever smart plug applications.
Remember The Clapper? The 1980s infomercial staple offered a novel, if limited, form of home automation. Today’s smart plugs offer a far more sophisticated and convenient experience, allowing you to control devices via smartphone app, voice commands, or scheduled routines. But beyond simply turning lights on and off remotely, smart plugs unlock a surprising range of possibilities for enhancing your home’s functionality, security, and efficiency.
1. deter Would-Be Intruders with Automated Lighting
One of the most popular uses for smart plugs is enhancing home security. Automating lights while you’re away creates the illusion of occupancy, deterring potential burglars. Many homeowners utilize smart plugs to control both indoor and outdoor lighting on a schedule, ensuring a well-lit exterior.however, the applications extend beyond simple timers.
A smart plug can also be used to remotely control a garage door opener, cutting power to it during the night or when you’re traveling. This prevents unauthorized access via stolen remotes or entry codes.Integrating a smart plug with a compatible motion sensor can trigger lights to activate upon detecting movement, adding another layer of security.
2. Create Effortless Motion-Activated Lighting
Forget expensive motion sensor wall switches.You can easily create motion-activated lighting by pairing a smart plug with a separate motion sensor.When the sensor detects movement, it signals the smart plug to turn on the connected light. This is perfect for illuminating hallways, closets, or entryways without having to fumble for a switch.
This setup is especially useful for individuals with limited mobility or for creating a safer surroundings for elderly family members. The ability to customize the sensitivity and duration of the light activation adds further convenience.
3. Enhance Kitchen Convenience and Safety
Smart plugs can transform your kitchen into a more efficient and safer space. Imagine starting your coffee maker remotely from your bed, ensuring a fresh brew awaits you. Or, use a smart plug to control a slow cooker, turning it on before you leave for work and automatically switching it off when you return.
Beyond convenience, smart plugs can also enhance safety. If you frequently use appliances like immersion blenders or stand mixers, a smart plug can provide an extra layer of protection by allowing you to remotely cut power in case of an emergency.
4. prioritize Safety with Smart Control of Hot Tools
Forgetting to turn off a curling iron or flat iron is a common concern. A smart plug provides a simple solution, allowing you to remotely check and switch off appliances via your smartphone. You can even schedule your hair tools to turn on automatically in the morning as part of your getting-ready routine.
This functionality extends to other potentially hazardous tools,such as soldering irons and hot glue guns. Controlling these devices remotely, even with a voice command like “Alexa, turn on the glue gun,” adds a crucial layer of safety.
5. Limit Screen Time and Manage Digital Habits
Smart plugs offer a surprisingly effective way to manage screen time for children. By plugging a playroom TV into a smart plug, parents can set schedules, control access with voice commands, and remotely switch the device on and off. While this method may not work with tablets, it can be applied to gaming consoles and even routers to limit Wi-Fi access.
One parent strategically placed the smart plug behind the TV to prevent children from simply pressing the power button. “During the week, my kids have to do their homework and shower before they can watch TV, so I switch off the smart plug to the TV until they’ve completed their tasks,” they explained.
6. Save on Utility Bills by Eliminating “Vampire” Devices
Smart plugs empower you to take control of your energy consumption. They allow you to eliminate “vampire devices” – appliances that continue to draw power even when switched off. Scheduling on/off times for devices like coffee makers prevents unneeded energy drain overnight.
Many smart plugs also offer energy monitoring features, providing insights into which appliances consume the most electricity. While smart plugs themselves draw a small amount of power (approximately 1-2 watts) to maintain a network connection, this is considerably less than the 5-10 watts consumed by TVs and gaming consoles in standby mode. Plugs utilizing Zigbee or Z-Wave protocols can draw as little as 0.3 watts when idle.
