What are smart plugs?

Smart plugs are adapters that sit between your appliance and the wall outlet. They connect to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control them remotely using a smartphone app or even voice commands with virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. This means you can:

• Turn devices on or off from anywhere
• Set schedules and timers for lights and appliances
• Create routines to control multiple devices with a single command

Breathe new life into your old appliances with smart plugs!

These handy devices add remote control and scheduling functionality to even the most basic lamps, fans, and coffee makers. But power monitoring smart plugs take things a step further, letting you track your appliance’s energy use and potentially saving you money on your electricity bill.

Why add power monitoring?

While basic smart plugs offer convenience, power monitoring smart plugs add a layer of efficiency. By tracking the energy consumption of your appliances, you can:

• Identify energy guzzlers: See which devices are silently draining your wallet on standby power.
• Automate power usage: Set schedules to power down electronics when not in use.
• Track trends: Monitor your overall home energy use and identify areas for improvement.

Make Your Washing Machine Smart With Power Monitoring Smart Plugs and Home Assistant

Ever forget your laundry is done and leave it sitting in the washer for hours? Wish you could get a notification when your washing machine cycle is complete? With a power-monitoring smart plug and Home Assistant, you can transform your ordinary washer into a smart appliance!

What You’ll Need:

A smart plug with power monitoring capabilities. We recommend our power monitoring plug
Home Assistant: An open-source home automation platform you can install on a computer or specific hardware. We recommend our Home Assistant Green and SkyConnect base system

Getting Started:

Install your smart plug: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the smart plug to your Wi-Fi network and plug your washing machine into it.

Set up Home Assistant: Download and install Home Assistant on your chosen platform. The process can vary depending on your setup, but the Home Assistant website offers comprehensive guides. Integrate the smart plug: Home Assistant supports a wide range of smart plugs. Follow the instructions for your specific model to integrate it with Home Assistant.

Making it Smart:

Here’s the magic part! Home Assistant monitors the power consumption reported by your smart plug. By analyzing these fluctuations, you can determine the washing machine’s cycle stages:Wash cycle starts: A surge in power indicates the wash cycle has begun.
Wash cycle ends: A significant drop in power consumption signals the end of the cycle.

This is an example of the automation in Home Assistant, don’t worry, EffortlessHome provides a template and can help with the configuration to make this easy. 

Taking it Further:

With this information, Home Assistant can automate tasks and send notifications:Notifications: Get an alert on your phone or a smart speaker when your washing machine finishes its cycle.
Automations: Set up automatic reminders or turn on lights in your laundry room when the cycle is complete.

Embrace the Smart Laundry Life:

With a smart plug, Home Assistant, and a little ingenuity, you can transform your washing machine into a smart appliance. No more forgotten laundry – Home Assistant will keep you informed and your clothes fresh!

Make Your Dishwasher Smart With Power Monitoring Smart Plugs and Home Assistant

Ever wished your dishwasher could tell you when it’s finished cleaning? With a power-monitoring smart plug and Home Assistant, you can turn your not-so-smart dishwasher into a conveniently connected appliance. The steps and devices required are the same as the Smart Washing Maching steps above.

Benefits of a Smart Dishwasher:

Notifications: Receive alerts when your dishes are clean and ready to unload.
Remote Monitoring: Check on your dishwasher’s status from anywhere.
Energy Tracking: Monitor your dishwasher’s energy consumption over time.

This is an example of the automation in Home Assistant, don’t worry, EffortlessHome provides a template and can help with the configuration to make this easy. 

With a little effort, you can transform your ordinary dishwasher into a smart appliance, adding convenience and a touch of automation to your home.