Nowadays, people are more tech-savvy than ever before, and smart home devices are selling like hotcakes because they make house management a breeze. Some examples of these cutting-edge gadgets are smart plugs and timers. The addition of these tools not only makes your life easier, but they also make your home safer and help cut down on energy bills. Making the most of these smart devices requires an awareness of how they function and the many ways you can put them to use.
Smart Kitchen Timers
Anyone who enjoys cooking should have a smart kitchen timer. With this particular tool, you can do more in less time and with less effort in the kitchen. A smart kitchen timer differs from a conventional one in that it is app-controlled, so you can control the cooking timer from any room in the house with your smartphone or mobile device.
The capacity of smart kitchen timers to connect with other smart home devices is another major perk. Connecting a smart timer to your smart oven or coffee machine, for example, will guarantee that your food and drink are always prepared to perfection. Moreover, some smart kitchen timers with voice control capabilities allow you to set or modify timers using simple voice commands. These models are compatible with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Many smart kitchen timers have pre-programmed cooking times for different foods, which makes it much easier to adhere to instructions precisely. People who aren’t very experienced in the kitchen or who are just looking for a safe way to experiment with different recipes will find this function really helpful.
Smart Shower Timers
You can link a smart shower timer to your home Wi-Fi network and install it in your bathroom. An auxiliary app allows you to program the maximum amount of time that you can spend in the shower and alerts you when that time is up. To help you make better decisions regarding your water usage, some modern models also monitor your water usage and give insights into your patterns of water consumption.
By limiting the amount of hot water used, smart shower timers not only encourage water conservation but also help save energy, resulting in lower energy bills. These timers are ideal for families with young children because they help teach them to be responsible water users at an early age.
Smart Wall Switch Timers
An easy way to automate your lights and other electrical equipment is to use a smart wall switch timer. You can program these timers to turn on and off lights and appliances at specific times rather than using conventional wall switches.
You can even program smart wall switch timers to work with your existing routines. As an illustration, you have the option to program the lights to switch on when you awaken in the morning and off when you depart for work. Aside from the obvious benefit of convenience, this also aids in cutting down on energy usage due to the elimination of unnecessary power use from lights and appliances.
To top it all off, you can manage your lighting from anywhere thanks to the ability to remotely control smart wall switch timers through smartphone apps. A lot of people use them to switch their lights on and off when they’re away on vacation, giving the appearance that someone is home to discourage would-be burglars.
Smart Irrigation Timers
Smart irrigation timers are a lifesaver for those who want to keep their lawns and gardens looking lush and healthy. To make sure your plants get the correct amount of water at the right times, these timers automate your irrigation system.
By linking up with weather forecasts and soil moisture sensors, smart irrigation timers can even adapt their watering schedules to suit the present weather and soil moisture levels. In doing so, you reduce the risk of damaging your plants and wasting water due to watering them too much.
You’ll be able to do everything from setting up personalized watering schedules to keeping tabs on water consumption to receiving system alerts using an app on your smartphone. In addition to facilitating the upkeep of an attractive garden, this degree of regulation encourages water conservation, an issue of paramount importance in drought-prone regions.
Smart Astronomical Timers
Smart astronomical timers save energy by coordinating with the daily light cycle to turn on and off your indoor and outdoor lights only when absolutely necessary. As an example, your outdoor lights can automatically switch on when it gets dark and off when it gets light, all without your assistance.
You can even set these timers to adapt to the changing seasons so that your lighting schedule is precise and practical all year round. Having a well-lit home is essential throughout the year, but it becomes even more important when the days grow shorter in winter and longer in summer.
Wi-Fi Smart Plugs
Connecting a Wi-Fi smart plug to your home internet network is as simple as plugging it into an outlet and using the associated software. After that, the smart plug will allow you to operate any device you plug it into from a distance. You can use voice commands with many Wi-Fi smart plugs thanks to their compatibility with popular voice assistants like Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Being able to operate Wi-Fi smart plugs from any location with an internet connection is the main perk. Whether you’re away from home managing appliances or just want to make sure everything is secure, this makes it easy to turn equipment on or off remotely.
Bluetooth Smart Plugs
Bluetooth smart plugs work in a similar way as Wi-Fi smart plugs; after plugging them into an outlet, you can pair them with your smartphone over Bluetooth via the accompanying software. This allows you to operate Bluetooth-enabled devices from your smartphone.
One major perk of Bluetooth smart plugs is that they can work in places with spotty or nonexistent Wi-Fi because they don’t need a Wi-Fi network. And since they don’t broadcast on a network, they are typically simpler to set up and keep safe. But you can only operate the item within around 30 feet, which isn’t very far compared to Wi-Fi smart plugs.
Energy Monitoring Smart Plugs
Smart plugs that track your energy use connect to your home Wi-Fi and sync with an app on your phone. In order to gain insight into usage patterns and efficiency, they measure the energy consumption of devices in real time.
In addition, they reveal which devices are eating up the most juice, making it easier for you to make educated choices regarding your energy consumption patterns. These smart outlets also have the capability to connect to other smart home devices, allowing for even more control and automation.
Outdoor Smart Plugs
Outdoor smart plugs connect to your home Wi-Fi network. They function similarly to smart plugs used indoors, allowing you to manage your outdoor gadgets from a distance via an app on your smartphone.
Their main selling point is how long they last and how well they withstand harsh weather. They are compatible with both indoor and outdoor settings, offering the same control and convenience as smart plugs for the home. Because of this, they are ideal for automating garden features, such as lights, fountains and more.
Consult With the Experts
If you have questions about smart plugs and timers, Thermo Direct is here to help. We serve clients in Raleigh and the surrounding areas and work on ductwork, heaters, air conditioners, mini-split systems, ceiling fans, electric panels and more. We also offer drain cleaning and other plumbing services. Give us a call today to learn more about making these smart upgrades to your home.
