Best Smart Devices for Saving Energy

Smart home devices can genuinely reduce your energy bills — but only if you choose the right ones. Heating and cooling account for roughly half of home energy use, which makes the thermostat the most impactful place to start.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat learns your schedule, adjusts temperature automatically when you leave and lets you control heating and cooling remotely. The savings typically pay for the device within a year.

Best overall: Google Nest Thermostat. Clean design, good learning features and works with most HVAC systems. The app clearly shows energy usage history.

Best with advanced features: Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium. Includes a room sensor so it considers temperature in multiple rooms, not just where the thermostat is mounted. Also works as an Alexa speaker.

Budget option: Amazon Smart Thermostat. Works well with Alexa, simpler features, lower price.

Before buying: check your HVAC system's wiring. Most smart thermostats require a C-wire. Ecobee includes an adapter if yours doesn't have one.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs let you turn any device on or off remotely and, with energy monitoring, show exactly how much power each device is using. Useful for identifying energy hogs and eliminating standby consumption.

Best with energy monitoring: Kasa EP25. Shows real-time and historical power consumption per plug. Works with Alexa and Google Home.

Best basic option: Amazon Smart Plug. Simple, reliable, integrates well with Alexa routines.

Smart Switches and Dimmers

Replacing standard switches with smart ones lets you set schedules, automate lights based on occupancy and use dimmers — which extend bulb life and reduce consumption. A better long-term investment than smart bulbs if you're renovating or replacing switches anyway.

Best dimmer: Lutron Caséta Dimmer. Works without a neutral wire (important in older homes), extremely reliable and compatible with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home.

Quick wins

• Set your thermostat to drop 2–3°C when you're asleep or away — most people don't notice the difference in comfort but it reduces heating bills noticeably.
• Use smart plugs on TVs, game consoles and desktop computers to eliminate standby power draw.
• Put outdoor lights on schedules or motion triggers instead of leaving them on all night.

What doesn't deliver much

Smart bulbs alone won't save significant energy unless you're replacing halogen or incandescent lights. If you already have LED bulbs, the impact is minimal. Smart thermostats and plugs with energy monitoring give you much better return on investment.