If you're on a budget (like most of us), what's the best order to purchase smart home devices for savings? I'm trying to create a phased approach where each purchase pays for the next one through savings.
My current thinking:
Phase 1: Smart thermostat (biggest potential energy savings)
Phase 2: Smart plugs for entertainment center and office
Phase 3: Smart lighting for most-used rooms
Phase 4: Energy monitoring system to identify other savings opportunities
Phase 5: Water conservation devices
But I'd love to hear from others who have actually done this. What was your purchase order for smart home devices, and did the savings from early purchases help fund later ones?
Also, are there any "quick win" smart home devices that have an especially fast payback period? I'm looking for money-saving smart home products that can demonstrate value quickly to help justify further investments in smart home automation savings.
Your phased approach makes sense. Here's what I did:
Phase 1: Smart thermostat + smart plugs on entertainment center (biggest savings potential)
Phase 2: More smart plugs on other high-standby devices (funded by Phase 1 savings)
Phase 3: Smart lighting in most-used rooms (funded by Phase 2 savings)
Phase 4: Water leak detector + smart water valve (risk mitigation)
Phase 5: Quality of life devices (robot vacuum, smart locks)
The key is tracking the savings from each phase to fund the next. My smart thermostat and initial smart plugs saved about $300 the first year, which more than paid for Phase 2.
Quick wins with fast payback:
1. Smart plug on entertainment center (4-6 month payback)
2. Smart plug on desktop computer setup (6-12 month payback)
3. Smart thermostat if you have no schedule (12-18 month payback)
4. LED bulbs in high-use fixtures (immediate savings)
Start with these smart home devices for savings, use the savings to fund more devices, and you can build your system gradually without big upfront costs.
Professional recommendation for purchase order:
1. Energy audit (free/cheap from utility) - identifies biggest opportunities
2. Smart plugs on identified vampire loads (fastest payback)
3. Smart thermostat if heating/cooling is major expense
4. LED lighting in high-use areas
5. Energy monitoring system to find more opportunities
6. Water conservation devices
7. Quality of life automation
The energy audit is crucial. I've seen clients spend $300 on smart lighting when their water heater was using $500 annually more than it should. Fix the big problems first.
Also, check for rebates at every step. Many utilities offer rebates on smart thermostats, LED bulbs, smart plugs, even energy audits. These can cut your payback period in half.
For smart home devices for savings, the order should be based on your specific home's needs, not generic lists. What wastes the most energy/money in YOUR home?
I'd modify your order slightly:
Phase 1: Smart plugs (cheap, quick install, immediate savings)
Phase 2: Smart thermostat (bigger savings, but more expensive)
Phase 3: Energy monitoring plug (identifies next opportunities)
Phase 4: Address issues found by monitor
Phase 5: Quality of life devices
The energy monitoring plug in Phase 3 is key. It helps you identify what to do in Phase 4. Maybe you discover your dehumidifier is using tons of power, so Phase 4 is a smart plug on that. Or your water heater is inefficient, so Phase 4 is adjusting temperature or adding insulation.
This data-driven approach ensures you're always working on the biggest savings opportunity. Without data, you're guessing.
Also, consider starting with just one of each device type to test. One smart plug, one smart bulb, etc. See if you like them, if they save what you expect, then expand. That's a low-risk way to start with smart home devices for savings.
For maximum cost-effectiveness, I recommend this order:
1. Kill-A-Watt meter ($20) - measure standby power
2. Smart plugs on highest measured devices
3. LED bulbs in most-used fixtures
4. Smart thermostat (with utility rebate)
5. Expand smart plugs to other devices
6. Smart lighting in key areas
7. Everything else
The Kill-A-Watt meter pays for itself by ensuring you put smart plugs on devices that actually save money. No guessing.
Also, buy during sales. Smart plugs often go on sale for $10-12 each. Smart thermostats go on sale around Black Friday. LED bulbs are cheapest in multipacks.
And consider used/refurbished for some items. I got my robot vacuum refurbished for 40% off. Works perfectly. For smart home devices for savings, buying used can improve your ROI significantly.
Don't forget about maintenance costs in your ROI calculations. Some smart home devices require:
- Cloud subscriptions (cameras, some security systems)
- Replacement bulbs (smart bulbs don't last forever)
- Battery replacements (sensors, locks)
- Software updates that might break compatibility
I've had smart bulbs fail after 2-3 years, which hurts the ROI. I've had to replace batteries in sensors annually. I've had devices become obsolete when companies stop supporting them.
So when calculating smart home devices ROI, factor in:
- Initial cost
- Expected lifespan
- Ongoing costs (subscriptions, batteries, replacements)
- Time cost of maintenance/updates
Sometimes a dumb" device with a smart plug has better long-term ROI than a dedicated smart device. Example: Regular LED bulb + smart switch might outlast and outperform a smart bulb.