What Are Smart Plugs & How They Help Cut Energy Costs | Jousto

With rising electricity prices and a growing focus on sustainability, many households and businesses are looking for ways to reduce energy consumption. One of the simplest and most effective solutions is using smart plugs.

Smart plugs are a cost-effective way to make your home smarter, improve convenience, and most importantly, cut down on energy waste. In this blog post, we will explain what smart plugs are, how they work, and how they can help you save money on electricity bills.

What Is a Smart Plug?

A smart plug is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that allows you to control electrical appliances remotely. It acts as an intermediary between a wall socket and your device, enabling you to turn appliances on and off through a mobile app, voice assistant, or automated schedule.

Unlike traditional power outlets, smart plugs offer advanced features such as:

• Remote control via smartphone apps

• Scheduling and automation

• Energy usage monitoring

• Voice control compatibility (Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple HomeKit)

• Integration with smart home systems

By plugging a standard appliance into a smart plug, you gain control over its power consumption, even when you are not at home.

How Do Smart Plugs Work?

Smart plugs connect to your Wi-Fi network and sync with a dedicated mobile app. Once set up, you can use your phone or voice assistant to switch appliances on or off, create schedules, and monitor energy usage.

Some advanced smart plugs also come with features like:

• Geofencing – Automatically turning devices off when you leave home.

• Power monitoring – Showing real-time energy usage data.

• Surge protection – Preventing damage to electronics from power fluctuations.

By automating everyday appliances, smart plugs help optimise energy consumption, reduce waste, and enhance convenience.

How Can Smart Plugs Help You Save on Energy Costs?

1. Eliminate Standby Power Waste

Many household appliances consume power even when turned off. This is known as phantom power or standby power, which can account for up to 10% of household electricity usage.

Devices like televisions, gaming consoles, coffee makers, and microwaves continue to draw power unless unplugged. A smart plug allows you to cut off power completely, preventing unnecessary energy waste.

For example:

• A TV left on standby overnight can waste electricity for 8+ hours.

• A smart plug can automatically turn off the TV at bedtime, saving power.

By using smart plugs to eliminate standby power, you can significantly reduce electricity costs.

2. Automate Energy-Efficient Schedules

Smart plugs enable you to create custom schedules for your appliances. This means you can:

• Set lights to turn off automatically during the day.

• Schedule heaters to turn on only when needed.

• Program fans to switch off when you leave a room.

Automation ensures that energy is used only when necessary, preventing unintentional overuse.

For example:

• Instead of leaving a heater running all night, a smart plug can turn it off after 2 hours.

• Kitchen appliances can be programmed to shut down after morning use.

These small adjustments can lead to substantial savings on your electricity bill.

3. Monitor and Reduce Energy Consumption

Many smart plugs come with built-in energy monitoring, allowing you to track how much electricity an appliance uses.

This feature helps you:

• Identify high-energy-consuming devices.

• Adjust usage habits to reduce electricity costs.

• Compare monthly consumption and find ways to improve efficiency.

For instance, if your kettle uses excessive power, you might choose to boil only the necessary amount of water rather than filling it completely.

By understanding which appliances consume the most power, you can make informed decisions to cut costs.

4. Prevent Unnecessary Energy Use When Away

It’s easy to forget to turn off appliances before leaving the house. With a smart plug, you can:

• Check appliance status remotely and switch off any forgotten devices.

• Use geofencing to automatically turn off electronics when you leave home.

• Enable “Away Mode”, which shuts down all non-essential appliances.

For example:

• If you leave a heater running, you can turn it off from your phone.

• A smart plug can switch off lamps and fans when no motion is detected.

This level of control and automation helps eliminate waste, leading to long-term savings.

5. Reduce Peak Energy Usage

Electricity costs are often higher during peak hours, when demand is at its highest. Smart plugs help you:

• Schedule high-energy appliances to run during off-peak hours.

• Delay non-essential usage to reduce electricity expenses.

For example:

• Running your dishwasher late at night (off-peak) rather than during the evening (peak) can cut costs.

• Charging devices overnight instead of during peak hours helps optimise electricity use.

By shifting energy-intensive tasks to low-cost periods, smart plugs contribute to lower power bills.

What Devices Can Benefit from Smart Plugs?

Smart plugs can be used with various appliances to enhance energy efficiency. Some of the best devices to connect include:

• Televisions & Gaming Consoles – Prevent standby power waste.

• Lamps & Lights – Automate schedules for better efficiency.

• Coffee Makers & Kettles – Turn off after use to avoid excess energy consumption.

• Heaters & Fans – Schedule usage to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling.

• Phone & Laptop Chargers – Stop charging once the battery is full.

• Electric Blankets – Prevent overnight overheating and energy waste.

Using smart plugs with energy-hungry appliances can significantly reduce overall electricity usage.

Choosing the Right Smart Plug

When selecting a smart plug, consider the following factors:

1. Compatibility

Ensure the smart plug is compatible with your devices and smart home system (Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple HomeKit).

2. Energy Monitoring

Look for a smart plug with real-time energy tracking to help analyse consumption and optimise efficiency.

3. Scheduling & Automation

Choose a model that allows custom schedules, timers, and automation features to maximise energy savings.

4. Safety Features

Select a plug with overload protection, surge protection, and fire-resistant materials for added safety.

5. Ease of Use

A user-friendly app and simple setup process ensure hassle-free operation.

Where to Buy Smart Plugs in Australia

If you’re looking for high-quality smart plugs in Australia, Jousto offers a range of energy-efficient smart home solutions.

Jousto provides reliable, easy-to-use smart plugs that help you save energy, reduce costs, and automate your home effortlessly.

Explore their collection and start making your home smarter today!

Final Thoughts

Smart plugs are a simple yet powerful tool for reducing energy consumption and cutting electricity costs. With features like remote control, scheduling, energy monitoring, and automation, they help eliminate wasted power and optimise efficiency.

By integrating smart plugs into your home, you can:
✅ Eliminate standby power waste
✅ Automate appliances for energy efficiency
✅ Monitor and control power usage remotely
✅ Reduce electricity bills effortlessly

Ready to start saving? Check out Jousto’s smart plug range and take control of your energy usage today!