Plug Into Smart Savings: How to Use Smart Plugs to Automate Coffee Makers, Space Heaters, and Christmas Lights

Let’s be real: you’re not made of money—and neither is your electrical outlet. But every time you leave a space heater running while you’re out, forget to turn off your coffee pot, or let Christmas lights shine until dawn, you’re throwing dollars into the digital wind.

Enter the unsung hero of home automation: the smart plug.

These simple, affordable devices turn everyday appliances into automated, energy-efficient sidekicks—and they can save you real money, especially during peak usage seasons.

What Is a Smart Plug?

A smart plug is a Wi-Fi-enabled outlet adapter that sits between your wall socket and your appliance. It allows you to turn devices on or off, schedule usage, and monitor power consumption via a smartphone or tablet.

You don’t need to be a tech guru. If you can plug in a lamp, you can use a smart plug.

Why Smart Plugs Matter: The Dumb Devices Cost You

Let’s look at three common household energy culprits:

Coffee Makers:

Many people leave them on for hours. The average drip coffee maker uses 800 to 1,200 watts when running. Even a single extra hour wastes electricity—especially in offices or shared spaces.

Space Heaters:

These are among the highest energy users in the home, averaging 1,500 watts/hour. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating is the #1 residential energy expense, taking up nearly 42% of utility bills.

Christmas Lights:

Holiday lighting can increase power usage by up to 30% in December, especially with incandescent bulbs. The Department of Energy estimates that holiday lights alone can cost Americans over $3 billion in extra electricity each season.

National Stats That Make You Want to Unplug

Let’s break it down by appliance and usage.

Coffee Maker (left on 2 extra hours/day):

• Power Draw: 1,000 watts

• Wasted per day: 2 kWh

• Cost @ $0.16/kWh (U.S. average, 2024): $0.32/day

• Annual waste: $116.80

Space Heater (left on 3 hours longer daily):

• Power Draw: 1,500 watts

• Wasted per day: 4.5 kWh

• Cost: $0.72/day

• Annual waste (seasonal use 150 days): $108.00

Christmas Lights (on 6 extra hours/day for 30 days):

• Incandescent string (10 strands): 400 watts total

• Wasted per day: 2.4 kWh

• Cost: $11.52/month

Now multiply that across millions of households? That’s billions in wasted energy—easily avoided with a $10–$30 smart plug.

How to Use Smart Plugs for Maximum Savings

Step 1: Buy the Right Smart Plug

• TP-Link Kasa, Amazon Smart Plug, Wemo, Meross, or Wyze are top brands.

• Look for energy monitoring models to see real-time usage.

• Make sure it’s UL-listed (safety tested).

• Use one rated for 15 amps minimum for heaters or other high-draw devices.

 Step 2: Install the App

• Download the plug’s companion app to your smartphone or tablet.

• Connect the plug to Wi-Fi and name the appliance (e.g., “Coffee Maker”).

Step 3: Set Smart Schedules

Here’s where the magic happens.

Coffee Maker:

• On at 6:45 AM, Off at 7:30 AM

• Optional: Only on weekdays

• Result: Hot coffee, no unnecessary heating.

Space Heater:

• On at 6:00 PM, Off at 9:00 PM (or when you’re asleep)

• Optional: Tie it to a room temperature sensor or your phone’s location (geo-fencing)

Christmas Lights:

• On at sunset, Off at 10 PM

• Bonus: Sync with sunset times via app

• Optional: Random on/off pattern for burglary deterrent

Step 4: Enable Remote Access

Left something on while out? Kill the power from your phone. Or check if a device is running and costing you money.

Step 5: Monitor Power Usage (if supported)

Some plugs show you how many kWh each appliance uses daily, weekly, or monthly, giving you insight into where your money’s going.

Bonus Hacks

• Vacation Mode: Put lamps or TVs on a randomized timer while away.

• Energy Vampires: Kill power to devices that draw power even when “off” (chargers, TVs, printers).

• Kid-Proof: Set rules on when gaming consoles or TVs can be used.

What’s the ROI?

And you reuse that same plug year after year, appliance after appliance.

Environmentally Speaking

Every kilowatt-hour saved prevents about 0.92 lbs of CO₂ emissions (U.S. EPA estimate). So:

• Saving 200 kWh/year = ~184 lbs of CO₂ avoided

• That’s like not driving 200 miles in a gas car—just from one smart plug!

Scale that across households and it’s a significant environmental win. Your smart plug just became a quiet climate warrior.

Control the Current

Think of smart plugs as power permission slips. They stop electricity from flowing when it’s not invited—saving you money, reducing your carbon footprint, and automating your life without the learning curve of a full smart home system.

So stop wasting energy on machines that don’t know when to quit. Give your outlets a brain—and take control of your current.