Gain practical insights into cost reduction from industry professionals with our exploration of how IoT devices are revolutionizing savings. This article presents a no-nonsense breakdown of the ways smart technology in everyday objects can significantly cut expenses. Discover proven strategies from those at the forefront of tech innovation that make managing energy and resources more efficient.
- Smart Plug Saves on Office Energy Costs
- Smart Thermostat Optimizes Home Energy Use
- Location Trackers Help Businesses Cut Costs
- Smart Lighting System Reduces Electricity Bills
- Smart Lighting and Climate Control Save Money
- Smart Leak Detector Prevents Costly Water Damage
- IoT Smart Plug Cuts Electricity Costs
- Smart Power Strip Reduces Phantom Energy Consumption
- Smart Security Devices Enhance Home Protection
Smart Plug Saves on Office Energy Costs
We often think of significant investments when trying to cut household costs, overlooking the subtle drains on our resources. In my experience, the most unexpected money-saving hero was a straightforward Internet of Things (IoT) device: a smart plug. Initially, I purchased a few more out of curiosity and a desire for convenience—being able to turn off lights remotely seemed neat but hardly revolutionary for my budget. The real surprise came when I connected one to my home office setup – monitor, computer, printer, chargers—grouping them all onto one power strip plugged into the smart plug.
I knew these devices consumed some power even when idle or in sleep mode, the so-called “vampire drain,” but I’d always dismissed it as negligible. The smart plug’s app, including energy monitoring, revealed the stark reality. I scheduled the plug to cut power overnight and during weekends when the office was unused. The difference wasn’t dramatic daily; maybe pennies saved. However, the unexpected part was seeing the cumulative effect tracked over time. Those pennies added up far more quickly than I anticipated.
Comparing energy bills month-over-month and correlating it with the monitored usage, this single smart plug, managing just my office peripherals, saved me around $8-$10 monthly. That might not sound like a lottery win. Still, annually, it’s effectively a free streaming subscription or a couple of nice meals out simply by eliminating waste I hadn’t even seriously considered before. This small, automated adjustment brought tangible value and efficiency, highlighting how seemingly minor tech integrations can address those often-ignored operational costs, freeing up resources, even on a personal scale. It was a surprisingly significant return from a device I’d bought almost on a whim.
Steve Fleurant
CEO, Clair Services
Smart Thermostat Optimizes Home Energy Use
One IoT device that has actually saved me money is the smart thermostat. With a device like the Nest Learning Thermostat, I’ve been able to optimize energy usage in my home without needing to think about it all the time. It adjusts the temperature according to my habits, so heating and cooling only operate when they are needed. For instance, it reduces the temperature when I’m out at work and increases it right before I get home, so I’m not wasting energy. Over a year, I noticed a significant drop in my energy bills, averaging about 20% less than they were.
It also offers insights into my energy consumption, helping me find additional ways to save even more. This data has allowed me to better understand how certain habits, like keeping the heat running when I’m out of town for long stretches, were causing my costs to go up. Making small adjustments with this knowledge has allowed me to shave an additional 5-10% off my monthly bills. Automatic adjustments have significantly reduced my total energy bills.
Sofia Wang
Sr. Marketing Specialist, Luxury Appliances Division, EMPAVA
Location Trackers Help Businesses Cut Costs
We’ve helped businesses save up to 30% of their total costs by enabling them to see when assets are actually being used. When businesses grow beyond a backyard operation, they often still don’t know where all their items are located. By placing location trackers on all of them, you can determine which ones are actually being utilized and sell off the extras or purchase more if needed.
Before our service, this was cost-prohibitive because existing options like Samsara were too expensive.
Tejas Bhakta
CEO, AirPinpoint
Smart Lighting System Reduces Electricity Bills
I installed a smart lighting system in my home mainly because I’m super into design and atmosphere—mood lighting is kind of my thing. But what really shocked me was how much money I ended up saving just from this one change.
I thought I was pretty good about turning off lights, but once I got motion sensors and scheduling set up through my smart lighting app, I realized just how often lights were being left on unnecessarily.
I mean, I didn’t notice it before—I thought I was doing fine. But then I started seeing the change.
I use smart bulbs that dim automatically and adjust based on the time of day. I also integrated them with sensors in low-traffic areas like hallways, closets, and bathrooms. I don’t even have to think about it anymore. If no one’s there, the lights go off. Simple. But powerful.
I’ve saved around 20-25% on my electricity bill monthly. Over a year, that’s been hundreds of euros—just from changing how I light my home.
And the best part? I still get to enjoy beautifully lit spaces without that constant guilt of wasting energy. As someone who’s into creating functional and inspiring spaces, I love that I found a solution that helps me both financially and creatively.
Reinis Butka
Interior Designer, Luminesy
Smart Lighting and Climate Control Save Money
An IoT-based smart system for lighting and climate control has saved me a lot of money. I’ve programmed the lights and HVAC to respond only if someone’s home or if certain rooms are being occupied. This has made a noticeable reduction in my monthly electricity bills—on average I save around $30-$40 a month, which adds up to nearly $500 a year. So if you’re in search of a gradual introduction to smart home tech, I can say that lighting and temperature control are low-effort, high-reward areas to tackle first. It’s not merely about convenience—it’s absolutely an investment for long-term efficiency.
Marc Hardgrove
CEO, The Hoth
Smart Leak Detector Prevents Costly Water Damage
I never imagined that a small appliance stashed underneath my sink could make such a significant difference—yet it did. I installed a smart leak detector on my water line as an experiment—primarily just to see what would happen. Months later, it alerted me to a slow leak that I hadn’t noticed. That leak could have easily caused significant water damage, not to mention a substantial repair bill. Instead, I simply tightened a valve and went about my day. No drama, no mess.
What’s remarkable is that such a small and inexpensive item—costing less than $50—saved me more than $10,000 in potential damages. In the tech world, we usually discuss innovation through the lenses of scale or performance. But sometimes the best solutions lie in what discreetly preserves your peace of mind.
Jason Hishmeh
Author | CTO | Founder | Tech Investor, Get Startup Funding, Varyence
IoT Smart Plug Cuts Electricity Costs
An IoT smart plug has helped me cut down electricity costs in an unexpected way. By scheduling power cycles for high-consumption devices, I’ve reduced unnecessary energy usage without manual intervention. One of the biggest culprits was my office’s standby electronics—monitors, printers, and chargers that drained power even when idle.
Automating their shutdown during non-working hours led to noticeable savings. Over a year, this simple adjustment trimmed my electricity bill by nearly 15%. The impact was significant, considering the minimal investment required.
Beyond cost savings, it also extended the lifespan of certain devices by preventing constant exposure to power surges. The combination of efficiency and financial benefit made it a valuable addition to my daily setup. Small tweaks like this add up, proving that smart technology doesn’t need to be complicated to make a difference.
Mike Khorev
Managing Director, Nine Peaks Media
Smart Power Strip Reduces Phantom Energy Consumption
In one way, an IoT device that I used at home helped me save money in an unexpected way: through a smart power strip that I installed. When I first bought it, I wanted to use it for automating certain devices, but I eventually discovered that it was helping to reduce phantom energy consumption—those devices that remain connected to the power source even when they are switched off, such as monitors, chargers, and other electronics. I managed to schedule some of them to turn off completely during nighttime or when I am away from home with the help of scheduling and presence detection features. It may seem like a small amount, but the savings were significant, between €15 to €20 per month, which amounts to a few hundred euros per year. I didn’t think that such a simple thing would have such an effect.
Filip Roškot
CTO, UniteSync
Smart Security Devices Enhance Home Protection
Incorporating IoT devices has greatly improved my sense of security and peace of mind. One specific instance that stands out was when I was away for a weekend trip. I had installed a smart doorbell and security cameras, which allowed me to monitor my home remotely. During my trip, I received a notification about unexpected movement near my front door. Checking the camera feed, I saw someone lingering outside. Using the smart doorbell’s two-way audio feature, I was able to speak to the person directly. It turned out to be a neighbor checking on my home. Knowing I could see what was happening in real-time and respond instantly made me feel far more secure.
Amber Moseley
CEO and Co-Founder, IWC
