Whether you’re looking for the missing piece in your current smart home arrangement, laying the foundation for your big smart home update, or just curious about what the deal is with smart light switches , Maxcio is here to fill you in on everything you should know about smart light switches . With a smart meter, you don't have to take manual meter readings and report them to your energy provider as the meter will do this automatically. All British energy suppliers must aim to install a smart meter in every home as part of a government programme to replace older energy meters. When buying, one of the most important features to consider is proper calibration, which will ensure your readings are correct. Energy monitors should be consistent with the manufacturer's own kilowatt-hour readings for various appliances. You should also be able to get consistent results when using other monitors side by side. You can switch out a normal light switch with a smart light switch pretty easily by yourself. Smart light switches are totally compatible with every switch panel wiring setup, so long as there’s a neutral wire (which should be in every home built after 1980). Other than that, it just takes a bit of basic DIY skills, a screwdriver, maybe a flashlight, and a bit of patience.

MAXCIO is an innovative app engineered to streamline smart appliance management, online shopping, and customer technical support. In short, the MAXCIO app helps you live a more efficient life. More importantly, it enables you to fully inhabit happiness. There is a lot to IFTTT and it definitely deserves a whole blog of its own, but in a nutshell, IFTTT is what allows you to add true automation and customization to your smart home, which your smart light switches are an integral part of. Have a look in there and see what kind of wires you’re working with. It might look like a tangled mess, but at this point we’re just looking for a white wire or group of wires; this is the neutral wire which is necessary to install most types of smart light switches. Make sure the white wire(s) is there and you’re ready for the next step. Remote Control: Adjust settings and control your appliances whenever and wherever using the intuitive MAXCIO app remote control feature. If you're trying to figure out the energy usage of one appliance or power strip, a plug-in energy monitor might be best to use instead.

Can a normal switch convert to a smart switch?

Efficient Technical Support: You’ll get access to limitless technical support to assist you at every phase, from installation to usage. Plus, for our international MAXCIO family, you can also use the MAXCIO app to access a multilingual instruction manual. Getting readings this way can help you determine whether it's worth using something in longer, larger uses. It can also show you the difference in modes like a lower-temperature wash, eco or economy modes, and so on. Some smart plugs have energy monitoring capabilities, but they don't usually come with a built-in LCD screen. They require a smartphone and wi-fi connection to function, and are primarily used to turn things on and off remotely. What to avoid when buying an energy monitor

If you'd prefer to shop in person, you can sometimes find plug-in energy monitors at your local hardware store. Can I get a free energy monitor? If you want to access the smart features that smart switches have to offer, like mood presets and timer functions, it will need a means to communicate with your smartphone or smart hub system. That doesn’t necessarily mean a WiFi connection - smart light switches can also use Bluetooth. If there is no WiFi or Bluetooth connection, it will still work as a normal light switch.MAXCIO is a rapidly-growing, new-generation smart home brand. We always prioritize design and quality. Our incomparable designs bring our ideas to life. Each realized concept is a gifted piece of the future for your enjoyment. We’re the industry’s leading inspirational players. One-for-many Group Control: Using this innovative feature, you can designate a group to control multiple devices simultaneously to achieve unparalleled convenience. Save Money and the Environment. You can easily view your lights’ electricity consumption and monitor how much it’s costing you. Smart light switches often come with eco-friendly settings to decrease your impact on the environment, too. With energy monitors, you can get a more precise measurement of energy usage and cost per individual electronic device. Let’s start by talking about what really puts the “smart” in “smart light switches”, and really the entire smart home system, IFTTT . IFTTT (If This Then That) essentially lets you choose a “trigger” that, when triggered, will cause the smart light switch to perform a chosen action. For example, you can set a trigger for your smart light switches to turn on at 7:00 am with slow gradual brightness to emulate the sunrise, making the start of your day feel more natural. IFTTT also allows separate apps to work together, effectively integrating your smart home devices and appliances of different makes and brands into one common system.

Measuring your power can help you cut down your energy bills and consumption, saving you money in the long term. How much do energy monitors cost? Installing your smart light switches by yourself will save you money and a call to an electrician. For the average person, it can be a little challenging as there are several steps to the process and it involves learning a little about light switch terminology and function as well as working with a variety of tools. Regardless, once you’ve done it once or twice, you should have the hang of it and you’ll feel like a DIY boss. Using an energy monitor is one of the best ways to clearly ascertain how much electricity you're using on individual appliances —hopefully helping you to work out where money can be saved in the long run. There are cheaper options available than the monitor we tested from RS Components. They include all the recommended features we've recommended you look out for and are widely available at the time of writing. It's important to keep in mind that buying an energy monitor won't automatically reduce your bills – you'll have to do that yourself by finding and unplugging power-hungry electronics.

Are smart light switches worth it?

Both devices can help you to see how much power you're using and how to reduce your energy consumption. Before you install your smart light switches, you’ll need to make sure you have the following tools and equipment: For this article, we're focusing solely on the kinds of energy monitors you can plug into an outlet. What is the difference between a smart meter and a plug-in energy monitor?

Resetting your monitor can be done by pressing the 'reset' button; some models require you to do this with a metal pin. Electricity suppliers are often required to provide you with a smart meter as a way of reporting your usage, so you don't need to submit manual readings for your bills. Find out the annual cost of each of your appliances and get tips on lowering your energy bills with our guide on average appliance costs . You can hook up and measure almost anything that uses electricity, as long as it has a three-pronged UK plug. This includes single devices such as a kettle, washing machine, or electric oven. Power monitors can also measure how much energy several different electronics use through a power strip, such as a TV and speaker setup or a desktop computer with multiple screens. Alternatively, you can measure things that you only use intermittently, such as a kettle, washing machine, or a corded vacuum cleaner, each time you use them.While smart meters are an excellent way to see how much power you might be using each day, it can still be difficult trying to figure out which of your electronics are using the most power. Updates on New Released Smart Products and Recommendations: Stay up-to-date on the latest, innovative smart home products. The MAXCIO app will put you ahead of the curve. Use your flat-head screwdriver, a coin, or a knife to open the light switch’s wall panel. There should just be one screw on the top and bottom. Once you’ve removed the screws, the panel should come off without any resistance.