Smart Home

7 independent, fact-checked articles about smart home.

Utility Smart Thermostat Rebates and Demand Response: The Recurring Payment Most Owners Never Claim

A smart thermostat purchase rebate is a one-time check. Demand response enrollment is a separate, recurring payment that most owners qualify for and never sign up for.

5 min read

Smart Power Strips vs. Smart Plugs: Which Actually Cuts Standby Power

Both target the same phantom load — but a strip and a plug solve the problem differently, and buying the wrong one for a device cluster wastes money either way.

4 min read

Smart Bulbs vs. Smart Switches: Where the Real Energy Savings Come From

The biggest lighting savings already happened when you switched to LED. The 'smart' layer on top saves less than people expect — and switches usually beat bulbs on long-term cost.

5 min read

Matter and Thread Explained: What the Smart Home Standard Means for Your Energy Devices

Matter is supposed to make smart plugs, thermostats, and EV chargers work across any ecosystem. In 2026 that's mostly true — with real gaps worth knowing before you buy.

5 min read

Home Energy Monitors Compared: Whole-Home vs. Circuit-Level, and Whether They're Worth It

A home energy monitor can't lower your bill by itself — it just shows you where the money's going. Here's how the main types differ, what changed with Sense in 2026, and whether the data is worth the install.

5 min read

Smart Plugs vs. Smart Thermostats: Where to Actually Start

If you're starting a smart home energy setup on a budget, the order you buy things in changes how much you actually save.

3 min read

Do Smart Thermostats Actually Save Money? What the Data Shows

Manufacturer claims of 10-15% savings assume you weren't already programming your old thermostat. Here's what a smart thermostat can and can't do for your bill.

2 min read