5 Gadgets That Make It Easy to Save Energy, Water, and Money

New York Times

13-05-2025

You won't actually make much of a dent in your individual energy bill by turning LED light bulbs off. But for me, remembering to turn them off is a small and easy contribution to collective energy savings for everyone. (Full disclosure: My personal pet peeve happens to be when people leave lights on in an empty house.) Smart lighting makes tackling this tiny task fast and easy.
The simplest way to automate lighting is to use smart bulbs: All you have to do is screw in a light bulb, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and then use its app to set it on a custom on-and-off schedule. All smart bulbs are LED bulbs, and they use at least 75% less energy than incandescents but last 25 times longer. They also bring a little extra savings by adding dimming, which can save another 40% of energy use.
Smart bulbs can also be triggered on or off in response to other smart devices, to motion sensors, or even to your location (what tech companies call geofencing). Once they're set up that way, they maximize energy savings without your having to remember to turn them on or off. We like the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb, which is bright and includes an array of festive color options. And when it comes to smart bulbs, this one is pretty inexpensive (about $11 each). WiZ smart bulbs can be dimmed, and they can be controlled remotely or set to run on a repeating schedule. And they have a circadian rhythm setting, which changes the quality of light automatically throughout the day. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter
Another option — for the person who knows how to wire an outlet — is a smart in-wall light switch, which replaces your existing light switch to control lighting fixtures. My husband leaves in the dark each morning. So we use a TP-Link Kasa KS225 Matter Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer (Wirecutter's top pick) to automatically ensure he has a lighted path. And then we turn it off when he's gone, so it doesn't stay lit all day.
If you're clinging to the bulbs and switches you already own, a smart plug tackles the same on-and-off and scheduling functions for lamps and small appliances, and you can still add regular money-saving LED bulbs. A smart plug is an inexpensive way to control lights: Our favorite, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25), costs under $9 per lamp. Smart plugs are also great for controlling holiday lights. These smart-home devices don't need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
Take these steps to protect your home from mishaps and intruders when you leave for vacation.
According to the EPA, everyday household leaks in the US account for about 1 trillion gallons of wasted water annually. That's equivalent to more than 1,500 Olympic-size swimming pools.
To catch small leaks as soon as possible, you can add a smart leak sensor to monitor hot-water heaters, under sinks, behind toilets, around washing machines or dishwashers, and other leak-prone spots. When the sensor detects a leak, it will send a smartphone alert, so you can tend to the issue before it becomes a catastrophe. The YoLink Water Leak Sensor 4 uses a small, inexpensive hub that supports multiple sensor units around the house. Each unit has sensors on top (to detect drips from pipes) and underneath (for pooling water). The YoLink Water Leak Sensor can detect both dripping and pooling water, due to its top- and bottom-mounted probes. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter
If you're seeking more-comprehensive control — especially for when you're away from home (or if you have a second home) — the Flo by Moen and the Phyn Plus are smart water shut-off valves that install on your water main. They can detect and alert you to sudden big leaks, as well as to smaller issues, like a cycling toilet or running spigot. If you don't respond to the alert, your water supply will be shut off as a precaution. You can turn it back on remotely, using an app, or manually, in person.
Smart sprinkler controllers can control water waste outside by regulating the amount you use to irrigate your lawn or garden, based on your specific soil moisture and even plant types. We recommend the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller because it uses hyper-local web-based weather information to adjust schedules automatically, so you won't be one of those people who water their lawn right before (or during) a rainstorm. If you don't have an in-ground sprinkler system, a smart hose timer works with regular garden hoses and a standard sprinkler or soaker hose.
The US Energy Information Administration reports that more than half of a typical US household's energy consumption is used for space heating and air conditioning. Of course, that can vary based on your location (the Northeast and Midwest use more on average), the type of dwelling (apartments consume less), and the number of people in your household. If you're in one of the areas where electricity costs are higher, a smart thermostat can optimize your home's heating and cooling to balance comfort with energy savings.
Our pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, is the most efficient smart thermostat we've tested. It has plenty of settings that allow you to fine-tune your environment. The included remote temperature-and-presence sensor allows you to control conditions around your home. And it can be set so you don't have to adjust the temperature when you leave or arrive home, and you aren't needlessly blasting the AC or heat all day. It also turns the system back on before you get home, so in the summer you won't arrive to an oven (and regret being energy-conscious). If you don't have central air, a smart air conditioner or a standard window unit with a smart plug can give you additional control, so you're not wasting cool air when no one is home to appreciate it. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium works with remote sensors to help balance the temperature throughout your home. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter
A smart ceiling fan can be another great option. I find my bedroom fan to be an absolute must for summer (and some winter) sleeping. According to the US Department of Energy, if you use a ceiling fan, you can raise the thermostat setting in summer months about 4 degrees Fahrenheit before you'll even perceive a difference in comfort. Smart fans, like those from Big Ass Fans and Hunter, also include presence sensors, so they run only when someone is in the room. They can also be integrated with a smart thermostat to maximize savings even further (we haven't yet tested such models).
If you already have ceiling fans installed, you can upgrade their capabilities with a smart switch, such as the Lutron Caséta Smart Fan Control. It works with most existing fans (though it does require the use of a Caséta Smart Bridge), and it can respond to triggers from an app or other smart devices, such as thermostats or temperature sensors. If a ceiling fan just isn't a good fit, a room fan with a smart plug is an easy and affordable option.
It's no surprise that one big way summer heat infiltrates your home is right through your windows. Smart shades and blinds tend to be expensive, but they are convenient and effective: They can block or absorb the sun's rays to help keep things cooler, without needing to flip on the AC. Models like those from SmartWings and Lutron can be set to raise and lower (or to open and close) based on a daily schedule, or on a whim using voice commands to a smart speaker or your phone.
Many older electrical appliances and gadgets — including computer speakers, TVs, coffee makers, and more — continue to draw power even when they aren't in use, a phenomenon referred to as phantom or 'vampire' energy. A variety of smart plugs can control lights, fans, air purifiers, and pretty much all other electronic devices inside and outside the house. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
According to the US Department of Energy, all of the various vampires in your home account for about 5% to 10% of energy use. And though this isn't a massive one-time outlay, over time it adds up.
If you're not sure what you're consuming (or you already know and want to do something about it), many smart plugs — including our top pick, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) — can monitor, in real time, the energy use of any device you plug into it.
If you need to power several devices, a smart power strip, such as the TP-Link HS300 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip, can track up to six devices individually. Just plug in whichever energy hog you wish (your old plasma TV, an audio system), and schedule the strip to cut the power completely when the device isn't in use.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser. These smart-home devices don't need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
Smart thermostats like our pick, the Ecobee Premium , can make your home's HVAC more energy efficient without sacrificing your comfort.
Nest thermostats are the gateway to smart-home life.
An in-wall smart outlet replaces a traditional electrical outlet and makes automation a permanent part of your home. Our pick is the Geeni Current+Charge .
What I Cover
I write about everything from smart lighting and home security to Wi-Fi cameras and smart bird feeders. I've also covered ice cream sandwiches, robot vacuums, and snoring.