With an increasing focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, many people are seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption at home. One effective way to achieve this is through an energy monitoring smart plug. This innovative device provides real-time data on the energy usage of various appliances, allowing homeowners to identify energy-draining appliances and adjust their usage accordingly.
This article will investigate the importance and tools for identifying energy-draining appliances so you can enjoy lower utility bills while benefitting the environment.
- Measurement Terms to Know
- Importance of Identifying Draining Appliances
- Tools to Identify Vampire Energy and Energy Draining Appliances
- Benefits of Using Energy Monitoring Smart Plugs
Measurement Terms to Know
Here are some important power measurement terms that you should know to understand your power consumption better.
1. Power and Voltage
Power is known as the rate at which energy is transferred, converted, or used. It is measured in watts (W) and is calculated by dividing energy by time. The unit of power can also be expressed in other forms, such as kilowatts (kW), megawatts (MW), or gigawatts (GW). In contrast, voltage is the electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit. It is typically measured in volts (V) and is a key parameter in determining the power being consumed or generated by an electrical system.
2. Watt Hours
A watt-hour (Wh) is the unit of energy commonly used to measure the amount of electrical energy a device uses over time. It is also defined as a combination of how fast energy is consumed by a device and its overall usage time. For example, if a 100-watt light bulb is turned on for one hour, it will use 100-watt hours of energy. Similarly, a device that uses 10 watts of power for 2 hours would consume 20 watt-hours of energy.
3. KiloWatt Hours
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of measurement for energy consumption or production. It is commonly used in the utility industry to measure electricity consumption by households and businesses. The amount of energy consumed is multiplied by the cost per kilowatt-hour charged by the utility company. This formula helps you determine the cost you are being charged per appliance.
Additionally, one kilowatt-hour is equivalent to the energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance or device in one hour of continuous operation. For example, if you have a 100-watt incandescent bulb and it is turned on for 10 hours, it will consume 1 kWh of energy (100 watts x 10 hours = 1,000 watt-hours or 1 kWh).
Importance of Identifying Draining Appliances
The identification of energy-draining appliances is important for a variety of reasons. These include lower energy bills, reduced carbon footprint, and improved energy efficiency. Let's discuss a few of these points:
1. Lowering Energy Bills
One of the primary reasons to identify energy-draining appliances is to lower energy bills. According to the Energy Information Administration, on average, a US residential utility customer consumes around 10,632 Kilowatt hours of power. So, identifying appliances that consume high energy can help homeowners and businesses make more informed decisions about energy usage monitoring.
By replacing energy-draining appliances with more energy-efficient appliances, you can significantly reduce your energy bills.
For example, an old refrigerator may consume twice as much energy as a newer model. Replacing it with a new and more energy-efficient model can save hundreds of dollars in electricity costs over the appliance's lifespan.
2. Reducing Carbon Footprint
Another important reason to identify energy-draining appliances is to reduce carbon footprint. Energy consumption significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. When you reduce your energy consumption, you can also lessen carbon emissions and decrease your impact on the environment. For example, replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%, resulting in lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
3. Improved Appliance Lifespan
When appliances use more energy than necessary, they must work harder and longer to perform their functions. This can strain the appliance's components, leading to premature wear and tear. As a result, identifying energy-draining appliances and reducing their energy usage can help extend their lifespan. Moreover, this can save you money by reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements.
For example, consider your energy-inefficient refrigerator. If it is not functioning efficiently, it may have to run more often to maintain a consistent temperature. This puts additional strain on its components, leading to compressor failure, which can be costly to repair or replace. However, quickly identifying your refrigerator's energy-draining properties can save money and extend your appliance lifespan.
Tools to Identify Vampire Energy and Energy Draining Appliances
Vampire draw refers to the standby power electronic devices consume when not in use but are still plugged into an electrical outlet. Sometimes, these also draw energy even when switched off. These devices increase your energy bills and negatively impact the environment. Here are the tools or gadgets that can be part of your top home improvement ideas that you can use to identify vampire draw or energy draining:
1. Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
An energy monitoring smart plug is a tool that can help you identify energy-draining appliances in your home. This device plugs into a regular electrical outlet, and then you can plug any appliance or electronic device into it. The energy monitoring smart plug connects to your home WiFi network and measures the energy the appliance uses in real-time. This means you can check the energy usage of your devices at any time, even when you are not at home.
Evvr Smart Energy Monitor Plug and Relay
The Evvr Smart Energy Monitor Plug and Relay is widely considered the best energy monitoring system available today, owing to its versatility, functionality, and ease of use. This remarkable device gives new life to old and new appliances by connecting them to the smart energy ecosystem. With its compatibility with Homekit, the product can be controlled using Apple devices anywhere and anytime.
You can also manage it through voice commands to Siri, boosting convenience. It comes with a magnetic retention relay that consumes 90% less energy than similar devices. Resultantly, it eliminates vampire draw and protects the environment from carbon footprint. Additionally, it provides hourly energy consumption details and predicts usage behaviors using the Evvr app, allowing you to optimize energy usage.
Key Features:
- Small split-type design that does not take up much wall space.
- Can be controlled via the Evvr app and Siri, compatible with Homekit smart plug.
- Offers excellent thermal and overload protection for preventing severe accidents involving children.
- Easy setup is suitable for DIY enthusiasts.
- Compatible with 2-core or 3-core cables to manage multiple appliances up to 16 amps.
- 90% more energy-efficient magnetic relay compared to other similar products.
- Provides hourly energy consumption information and predicts energy usage behaviors.
2. Smart Power Strips
Smart power strips help you determine vampire draw and energy-draining appliances. These power strips are designed to automatically turn off power to devices not in use, reducing standby power consumption. Typically, these strips work by using sensors to detect when a device is not in use, then cutting off the device's power. They can also be programmed to turn off power to devices at specific times, such as when you are not home or at night.
TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip
The TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip is a top choice for anyone seeking a sleek, slim, and efficient surge protector. This device seamlessly integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, while its WiFi compatibility ensures it is a must-have addition to any home.
With six outlets available, users can make all their devices "smart" and set up automated systems to optimize their home environment. Simply download a smart app and control all connected devices with ease, using only a few taps or voice commands.
One standout feature of the TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip is its "away mode." This mode automatically detects your presence and turns on connected devices, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Overall, this surge protector offers excellent value for money, given the range of features it provides.
Key Features:
- Six AC outlets, enabling users to create complex schedules and make all devices "smart."
- Compatible with WiFi, facilitating home automation.
- Works with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice control.
Benefits of Using Energy Monitoring Smart Plugs
Let's discuss a few of the benefits you can enjoy by using a smart plug with energy monitoring:
- Energy monitoring smart plugs help you save money on your electricity bills.
- You can track your energy usage in real time with energy monitoring smart plugs.
- Energy monitoring smart plugs help you identify and eliminate energy-draining devices.
- These smart plugs can also help you monitor the health of your devices and appliances.
- Energy monitoring smart plugs are easy to install and use.
- You can control your devices and appliances remotely with energy monitoring smart plugs.
- Some energy monitoring smart plugs can be integrated with smart home systems and voice assistants.
- These smart plugs can also help you reduce your carbon footprint and help you contribute to a greener planet.
Conclusion
An energy monitoring plug is valuable for identifying energy-draining appliances in your home. By tracking your appliances' energy usage, you can identify which ones are costing you the most money on your energy bill. You can also use this information to take steps to reduce energy usage.
Although multiple Energy Monitor Smart Plugs are in the market, the Evvr Smart Energy Monitor Plug and Relay takes the lead. It's Homekit compatible and provides you with real-time energy usage information. Evvr also offers top-notch products like the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch, Evvr Pad S, Evvr Hub, etc. Contact us now to get the best home automation solution!
