That meager, yet constant, connection requires that a small amount of power always be ready when you need the lights on. Well, in order to be turned on with your phone or another device, the bulb still needs to be connected to the internet or Bluetooth. “How does that happen if the bulb is turned off?” you might ask. This means that smart bulbs use electricity even when they’re off. Why Smart Bulbs Waste Energy When They’re ‘Off’Īs we mentioned above, smart bulbs are in a class of appliances that use electricity in standby mode: vampire devices.
LIGHTS OUT DEVICE BEFORE ELECTRICITY BLUETOOTH
The Philips Hue light, on the other hand, runs on either Bluetooth or a special hub you have to buy. For example, GE lighting is specifically designed to work with Google Home and connects to your home Wi-Fi. Whichever brand you choose, it’s important to be aware of which devices they pair with best and how. Both Samsung and GE provide excellent smart bulb options, and they’re slightly more affordable. While the New York Times picked the Phillips Hue bulb starter kit as the best smart lighting ecosystem, you have several brands available. They’re an important part of the greater home automation or “smart home” trend, in which an increasing number of everyday household appliances can be connected via a single network. What is a Smart Bulb?Ī smart bulb is an LED light bulb that has technology built-in so it can connect to a common network such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that can be remotely controlled. We’ll also talk about typical energy suckers you might already have in your house and just how much in electricity they could be costing you. In this article, we’ll discuss smart bulbs, why they waste energy, and exactly how much they waste (in dollars). Because, while smart bulbs don’t use much electricity, they’re in a class of electronics called vampire appliances - devices that use power even when they’re not in use. However, because of that advanced technology, they do leech electricity even when the lights are off but only in small amounts. You can even change their color, play music and gradually dim them to help you sleep better - all via your voice or smartphone app. Yes, these smart light bulbs can really be turned on and operated by your voice through Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa. While these babies bear a hefty price tag (we’re talking $30 to $40 per bulb), they can be controlled with your voice. Then we come to smart bulbs, the next era in home lighting.
LIGHTS OUT DEVICE BEFORE ELECTRICITY UPGRADE
When you upgrade to the energy-efficient LED bulbs, they are a pricier option upfront, but they save you energy and money in the long run. The classic incandescent light bulb might be familiar and cheap, but the little buggers are insanely inefficient.