Looking to reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills at the same time? We’ve teamed up with SSE Airtricity to round up some of the best smart home devices to help you go green and save money. It’s good for your purse and good for the planet — and it’s often the small changes that make the biggest difference.
A few simple swaps around the house can meaningfully cut your energy usage, and that adds up over a year. With so many smart home products now able to sync with each other, you can control lights, heating, appliances and more from a single app on your phone. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Jump to a device:
- Climote Heating Control
- Smart Speakers
- Smart Home Bundles From Energy Providers
- Energy Monitors
- Smart Light Controllers
- Smart Power Strips
- Learning Thermostats
- Smart Shower Heads
The Best Smart Home Devices
Climote Heating Control
The Climote Heating Control device lets you control your heating anytime, anywhere, from your phone, laptop, tablet or smart speaker.
Whatever the weather or wherever you are, you can arrive home to a warm house. Whatever way your day works out, you can reset your schedule, boost the heating, or turn on your hot water — all from wherever you happen to be.
Installation typically takes less than an hour: your existing timer is simply replaced with the climote HUB, and you’re ready to start saving energy.
Climote also works with Alexa. There’s a handy guide from SSE Airtricity on using Climote with your Amazon Echo.
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Smart Speakers
Smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot do more than play your favourite music — they link with other smart technology in your home.
They let you use your voice to control everything from your lights to your thermostat, making it easier to be energy efficient without thinking about it.
For children, the novelty of switching lights on and off with a voice command can be a fun way to encourage the habit of switching off when they leave a room.
Smart Home Bundles From Energy Providers
Some energy providers offer bundled smart home kits — combining a heating control device with a smart speaker, for example — as part of switching or upgrading your energy plan. Bundle contents and offers change regularly, so it’s worth checking directly with your provider, such as SSE Airtricity, to see what’s currently available.
Energy Monitors
The best way to start your energy-saving journey is by installing an energy monitor in your home. They’re easy to install and give you real-time information on your energy usage, so you can see exactly what effect turning off, unplugging or turning down appliances actually has.
You can also view historical data and build up a picture of your household’s energy use over time, helping you spot easy ways to cut back and save.
Many energy monitors work with existing smart home systems, platforms and devices, making them a simple addition to help you go green and save money.
Smart Light Controllers
There are a number of products on the market that let you control your lighting from your phone, tablet or smart speaker via an app.
You’ll typically need to swap in compatible bulbs or install customised switches, but once set up, you can turn lights on and off from inside or outside the home.
Smart Power Strips
Like a traditional power strip, a smart power strip lets you plug in multiple devices and appliances. The difference is that when a device goes into standby mode, the smart power strip automatically cuts the power to it.
Don’t worry — most come with always-on options too, so appliances like your fridge aren’t affected.
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Learning Thermostats
A learning thermostat picks up on your household’s habits over time, helping cut down on energy bills while keeping your home at the right temperature.
Many models let you control heating and hot water from your phone or tablet, and give you a daily report on how much energy you’re using.
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Smart Shower Heads
In a family home, daily showers are usually one of the biggest contributors to water consumption. A smart shower head can help reduce water use and give you better control over water temperature.
As well as cutting your energy bill, it helps reduce your overall water consumption too. A number of companies make these, so it’s worth researching which model best suits your existing shower setup and your household’s routine. Some even come with built-in speakers, so you can enjoy your favourite tunes in the morning.
How SSE Airtricity Can Help You Go Green And Save Money
Small choices add up to a big difference. By choosing a renewable energy provider, you’re joining the growing number of households moving away from fossil fuels and helping power a cleaner, greener Ireland.
SSE Airtricity offers 100% green electricity plans, and providers like this regularly run switching offers that can include smart home devices or discounted rates. Offers and terms change from time to time, so it’s worth checking their site directly for what’s currently available before you switch.
Have your say! Have you used any of our pick of the best smart home devices, or do you have others to add to the list? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a smart speaker to use these devices?
No. Many smart home devices, including heating controls and power strips, come with their own app and can be controlled from your phone or tablet without a smart speaker. A smart speaker like Amazon Echo simply adds voice control as an extra option.
Will smart home devices work with my existing boiler or shower?
Most heating controls and shower heads are designed to work with common household setups, but compatibility can vary. It’s worth checking the manufacturer’s specifications, or asking the installer, before you buy.
Are smart home devices difficult to install?
Many, like Climote, are designed for straightforward installation — often under an hour — by simply replacing your existing timer or switch. Some products, like smart light controllers, may need an electrician if you’re rewiring switches.
Do smart home devices actually save money?
They can help by giving you better visibility and control over your energy use — for example, by letting you turn off standby devices or heat only when you need to. Actual savings depend on your household’s habits and existing energy use, so results will vary.
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