The actual numbers on what smart devices save: energy math, subscription costs avoided, and the payback period on every upgrade we recommend.
My jaw dropped when I pulled twelve months of kilowatt-hours off my utility’s site and divided by the rate on the bill: I was paying about $1,890 a year for electricity, and I had no idea which end of the house was eating it. The utility’s app shows a monthly total — a single number … Read more
A sprinkler controller is the rare smart-home category where the math is embarrassing. My in-ground system ran on a 2004 dial timer that watered every zone every other day whether it rained or not. After a season of watering through three storms, I put a $10 kill-a-watt-style meter on the zone runtimes and pulled the … Read more
Here is the number that stings: a household that holds 72°F around the clock — including the ten hours a day nobody is home — can easily burn about $100 a year more than the identical house next door that simply lets the temperature drift while everyone is out. The US Department of Energy’s long-standing … Read more
Here’s the number that gets people started with smart plugs: you don’t need $200 of gear to automate a home. You need about $15 per device, a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network you already have, and one evening. The catch is that smart plugs are sold in more pack sizes than almost any gadget on Amazon — … Read more
My bedroom faces east, which sounds nice until the sunrise hits your face at 6:40 AM every single morning. I looked into motorized shades and got quotes north of 900 dollars for one room. That is when I went down the rabbit hole: it turns out there are now three completely different ways to automate … Read more
If you’re running your air conditioner non-stop during a heat wave, your smart home can do more than just keep you comfortable — it can actively cut your energy bill. The right automations, sensors, and schedules can reduce cooling costs by 15-30% without you having to think about it. Here’s how to set that up. … Read more
Expert Reviewed · Last updated June 23, 2026 · This article is regularly updated with the latest information and recommendations. Amazon Prime Day 2026 is live June 23-26, and the smart home deals are some of the best we’ve seen all year. Here are the 15 best deals on smart home gear — verified, in … Read more
Expert Reviewed · Last updated June 23, 2026 · This article is regularly updated with the latest information and recommendations. Philips Hue’s new wall switch modules let you smartify your existing light bulbs without replacing them. Install a module behind your wall switch, and your conventional bulbs become Hue-controllable. Here’s how it works and whether … Read more
Expert Reviewed · Last updated June 23, 2026 · This article is regularly updated with the latest information and recommendations. You don’t need to spend thousands or hire an electrician to get a smart home. These 10 weekend projects each cost under $100 and deliver real, daily value — not gimmicks. Build your smart home … Read more
Expert Reviewed · Last updated June 23, 2026 · This article is regularly updated with the latest information and recommendations. Home Assistant’s 2026.5 release added native RF proxy support — meaning those old remote-controlled blinds, fans, and garage doors you thought were “dumb” can now join your smart home automations. No cloud, no replacements, no … Read more