Smart Plug & LED

Energy & Lighting

What’s a home without proper lighting? Whether it’s in the kitchen, entertainment room, or study, the right kind of lighting matters more than you think. Studies have shown that blue light actually triggers a calming sensation in your brain, extremely helpful for dealing with stress. Additionally, if you live an area that undergoes long, dark winters, having light bulbs that emulate natural light can help reduce the severity of seasonal affective disorder. We may take it for granted, but light is one of the most important elements in creating a cozy atmosphere.

To LEDs and Beyond

You’ve probably heard of LEDs, but did you know they are more than just for industrial use? Because they last a long time and run cool even after extended periods of use, they are the perfect choice for creating bright, warm light without consuming much power at all. And you can take it a step further with a Belkin WeMo lighting kit. Not only do the smart LED bulbs consume only 10 watts of power and last up to 23 years, the control kit allows you to program a schedule where the bulbs light up or dim on their own. You can also adjust specific brightness settings to create the right mood. Accessible through an app on your smartphone, you can add up to 50 bulbs to your setup and control them from anywhere.

To go beyond just white light, Philips Hue smart lighting kits feature highly customizable wireless lighting settings. Create the perfect ambiance with a variety of colors to choose from and sync them up to music or movies to create your own accompanying light show.

Savings Just a Switch Away

While most LED smart bulbs are designed to use less power, other devices in your home may not be as energy-conscious. To help keep track of all the power surging through your home, TP-Link, Edimax, and D-Link have made smart plugs and smart switches that can turn devices on and off based on the schedule you provide.

Operating over wireless through iOS and Android compatible apps, they feature additional thermal protection and energy monitoring so you know exactly how many watts your devices are consuming. Set a budget for how much you want to spend on utility bills that month and receive real-time data on a weekly or daily basis in the form of email or phone alerts. That way, you’re always prepared when the next energy bill arrives.

With products like these available on Newegg, the future is certainly looking a lot brighter.