How smart sockets provide convenient comfort and energy efficiency
Smart sockets are getting more and more attention as a crucial tool for energy management and as an accessory for convenient comfort. These devices go beyond the traditional function of an electrical socket. Some can even seamlessly integrate with building management systems to provide real-time energy monitoring and control over power usage, while keeping life for end-users easy and convenient.
What are smart sockets?
Smart sockets, also known as smart plugs give users control of the appliances plugged into them – with some even offering control even when you’re not in the building. There are also smart sockets on the market that can monitor how much power the device plugged into them is using. These attributes provide a multitude of benefits to users:
– Convenient comfort enabled by remote operation even for hard-to-reach locations.
– Safety and security as devices can be checked on at any time of the day and switched off immediately if needed.
– Energy efficiency and central monitoring of power consumption provide a better understanding of usage and costs.
– Some can also be linked to only be on when someone is in the building and automatically turn off when the building is unoccupied.
How do smart plugs work?
Smart sockets are designed to work with traditional electrical outlets. They connect to wireless networks, making local and remote operation possible via dedicated smartphone apps or smart home hub. Essentially, there is a switch inside a smart socket that is turned on or off using smart technology the same way a user would traditionally turn a socket on or off at the wall.
Are smart plugs energy efficient?
Smart sockets contribute to energy efficiency in several ways. First, they enable users to remotely turn appliances on or off, preventing unnecessary energy consumption when they are not in use. Some smart sockets may even intelligently automate this for you.
Additionally, they provide real-time power usage data, allowing users to identify “energy vampires” and consequently reduce wasted electricity through changing user behaviour.
When integrated into smart home automation systems, these plugs can work in cooperation with other devices, such as intelligent lighting or zoned heating, to create comprehensive energy-saving strategies. For example, floor lamps in the living room automatically turn off when no one is in the room, or printers in an office are turned off after business hours automatically, ultimately saving energy.
Can smart plugs save you money?
Yes, smart sockets have great potential to help you save on energy costs.
They can reduce energy waste and lower the bills by identifying power guzzlers, especially devices on standby, and allowing the building automation system or manual intervention to switch these off when not in use.
Let’s look at a real cost-saving example:
This TV unit has a smart socket added to monitor the standby power to see how much energy is being wasted when the user is not at home. The TV unit has a TV, smart speaker, games console, Qi wireless charger for a smartphone and smartwatch. All of these devices will have you believe they are on standby as they are not being used when the user is not home.
However, we can see from the screenshots that the standby power of the TV unit is 24Wh, and we can see that the user is only actually using these devices for 4 hours in the evening. This means that for 20 hours every weekday, 24W is being wasted every hour and this is costing the user approximately £50 a year. Considering this is a one-bedroom bachelor flat, this is a significant portion of the user’s energy bill. This is a great example of how a smart socket can eliminate that wastage straightaway.
The Loxone
Smart Socket Air
The Smart Socket Air is essentially a switchable relay based on Loxone Air technology. One of its distinguishing features is the ability to provide energy consumption data for any device that’s plugged into it. This provides insights into which devices or appliances are consuming the most power, enabling homeowners or facility managers to make informed decisions about their usage patterns.Â
Moreover, with intelligent automation from Loxone, the Smart Socket Air can be programmed to turn off devices when they’re not in use – like when no one is at home or outside of office hours – to ensure that electricity is consumed only when necessary. This not only results in significant energy savings but also can help with reducing the electricity bills.
Below are a few relevant examples for both commercial spaces and smart homes that describe the large-scale role the Smart Socket Air plays in energy management and user convenience.
The Loxone
Smart Socket Air
The Smart Socket Air is essentially a switchable relay based on Loxone Air technology. One of its distinguishing features is the ability to provide energy consumption data for any device that’s plugged into it. This provides insights into which devices or appliances are consuming the most power, enabling homeowners or facility managers to make informed decisions about their usage patterns.Â
Moreover, with intelligent automation from Loxone, the Smart Socket Air can be programmed to turn off devices when they’re not in use – like when no one is at home or outside of office hours – to ensure that electricity is consumed only when necessary. This not only results in significant energy savings but also can help with reducing the electricity bills.
Below are a few relevant examples for both commercial spaces and smart homes that describe the large-scale role the Smart Socket Air plays in energy management and user convenience.
Why choose the Loxone Smart Socket Air
Why choose the Loxone Smart Socket Air
In the morning
Flexible operation anytime from anywhere
At home, if you are a hybrid worker for a couple of days a week, you could conveniently use the Smart Socket Air to power everything on your desk only on the days you need it.
In the office, the coffee machine and equipment such as computers and printers can be powered up to be ready for use as soon as the working day starts.
The Loxone App allows you to check your devices’ on and off status, and remotely flip the switch if needed.
In the morning
Flexible operation anytime from anywhere
At home, if you are a hybrid worker for a couple of days a week, you could conveniently use the Smart Socket Air to power everything on your desk only on the days you need it.
In the office, the coffee machine and equipment such as computers and printers can be powered up to be ready for use as soon as the working day starts.
The Loxone App allows you to check your devices’ on and off status, and remotely flip the switch if needed.
During the day
Standby Killer
Appliances not in use still consume power, and energy waste can add up quickly, resulting in additional costs every month.
Easy-to-forget devices at home like gaming consoles, computer equipment, or TV units like the example above still use energy. As Loxone is a professionally-installed system, you can turn to your Loxone Partner to discuss the specifics of how to monitor your energy usage and automate the turning off of devices when not in use.
In cafés; display fridges and confectionery counters will often be left running outside of business hours. These are great examples of what the Smart Socket Air can automatically turn off to save energy without adding an extra step for staff to take as part of lock-up at the end of the day.
Maintain convenient comfort for users
A great level of convenience comes from also being able to control the Smart Socket Airs via the Loxone App from wherever you are.
In smart homes, this could offer peace of mind in being able to double-check that the hair straightener or iron is turned off as you get into the office from your morning rush.
In hospitality, this could offer a new level of convenience where staff have multiple responsibilities. For example, in a small B&B, the front-of-house can receive a notification via the Loxone App once the washing machine cycle has finished so that they can promptly take out the washing – without the constant checking interrupting their other responsibilities.
During the day
Standby Killer
Appliances not in use still consume power, and energy waste can add up quickly, resulting in additional costs every month.
Easy-to-forget devices at home like gaming consoles, computer equipment, or TV units like the example above still use energy. As Loxone is a professionally-installed system, you can turn to your Loxone Partner to discuss the specifics of how to monitor your energy usage and automate the turning off of devices when not in use.
In cafés; display fridges and confectionery counters will often be left running outside of business hours. These are great examples of what the Smart Socket Air can automatically turn off to save energy without adding an extra step for staff to take as part of lock-up at the end of the day.
Maintain convenient comfort for users
A great level of convenience comes from also being able to control the Smart Socket Airs via the Loxone App from wherever you are.
In smart homes, this could offer peace of mind in being able to double-check that the hair straightener or iron is turned off as you get into the office from your morning rush.
In hospitality, this could offer a new level of convenience where staff have multiple responsibilities. For example, in a small B&B, the front-of-house can receive a notification via the Loxone App once the washing machine cycle has finished so that they can promptly take out the washing – without the constant checking interrupting their other responsibilities.
In the evening
Aligning to your schedule
Finding a comfortable rhythm for the end of the day without having to spend time on manually switching devices on and off – and worrying about not forgetting to do so – makes a significant positive difference in lifestyle.
All decorative lamps in the hallway or living room, for example, turn on automatically at sunset. Once everyone is in bed, devices on standby can be permanently turned off.
In an office, power to the desks can turn off after the last person has left for the day, so that monitors and printers in standby are not wasting energy overnight.
In the evening
Aligning to your schedule
Finding a comfortable rhythm for the end of the day without having to spend time on manually switching devices on and off – and worrying about not forgetting to do so – makes a significant positive difference in lifestyle.
All decorative lamps in the hallway or living room, for example, turn on automatically at sunset. Once everyone is in bed, devices on standby can be permanently turned off.
In an office, power to the desks can turn off after the last person has left for the day, so that monitors and printers in standby are not wasting energy overnight.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Energy management by Loxone
Your energy usage data can be monitored by the Smart Socket Air so that you can view it at any time directly from within the Loxone App, allowing you to analyse it for yourself and uncover any potential savings. You can speak to your Loxone Partner about enabling this feature.
You can further discuss the various features mentioned above with your installer to implement what is suitable for your installation, whether it be in a smart home or in a commercial environment.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Energy management by Loxone
Your energy usage data can be monitored by the Smart Socket Air so that you can view it at any time directly from within the Loxone App, allowing you to analyse it for yourself and uncover any potential savings. You can speak to your Loxone Partner about enabling this feature.
You can further discuss the various features mentioned above with your installer to implement what is suitable for your installation, whether it be in a smart home or in a commercial environment.
Ambient Assisted Living
Unobtrusive monitoring
The Smart Socket Air can give peace of mind to carers and families when it is set up to recognise a change in behaviour of a loved one.
For example, because the Smart Socket Air can monitor power draw, it can be configured to send a notification via the Loxone App to nominated individuals if the kettle hasn’t been boiled or the TV hasn’t been switched on by a certain time in the morning. This can prompt a friendly check-in with a loved one without removing some of their independence.
Ambient Assisted Living
Unobtrusive monitoring
The Smart Socket Air can give peace of mind to carers and families when it is set up to recognise a change in behaviour of a loved one.
For example, because the Smart Socket Air can monitor power draw, it can be configured to send a notification via the Loxone App to nominated individuals if the kettle hasn’t been boiled or the TV hasn’t been switched on by a certain time in the morning. This can prompt a friendly check-in with a loved one without removing some of their independence.
The features and functionality you wish to have should be discussed with a professional Loxone installer so that they can commission a system that suits your exact requirements. Loxone Partners are best placed to discuss the capabilities of the Loxone Smart Socket Air and the vast energy management functionality available with Loxone.
Interested in Loxone?
Whether you want Loxone installed or you want to start offering your customers Loxone, speak to us about making that happen.