topic Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug in Managing Your Energy

Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

Easysaver — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:12:53 GMT

Hi Guys

I have recently started turning off my garage doors when I leave for work and arriving home. This means the standby power is not on 23.45 hours a day. I turn the power off via the app on the Smart Phone. It is just another way to reduce the power either by green or coal burning.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

David_AGL — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 02:44:39 GMT

Clever idea! A garage door opener probably uses a relatively low amount of energy in standby mode, but it all adds up. It's a great idea to be aware of the amount of energy that appliances on standby power (aka vampire power) can use.

Anyone looking to find these kinds of savings could check out How to avoid paying extra for standby power

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

Caban — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:30:53 GMT

@ Easysaver

As pointed out elsewhere, this is NOT an energy saving, as the Wiz Plugs also use standby power to run. They probably use more than the Garage Door opener as they are continuously handshaking with your router. The Door opener just needs a receiver.

If you really wanted to save the power then consider employing someone who is unemployed to sit by the garage doors. they could then raise and lower them when required and this would not consume any electricity at all. Maybe not a practical solution either.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

Easysaver — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:12:57 GMT

There seems a lot of if' and buts without any proof. For a person in a
wheelchair it is very convenient and I am very happy with Wiz Smart Plugs.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

Caban — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:09:33 GMT

@ Easysaver

If they make your life more convenient, then that is great. i can see many applications where these plugs will do that. This is especially true for those in a wheelchair. The subject wasn't convenience but rather energy saving, and this does not add up.

Adding extra steps to opening the garage door is also not making that task any easier, just less reliable while using more energy.

In the absence of published data from Wiz Smart Plugs I have had to rely on some basic assumptions.

These are;

That a low power receiver will use less energy than a transceiver.
That a device that needs to handshake with a base station will need more power than a passive receiver.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

NeilC — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 22:25:39 GMT

@Easysaver

Hi,

I suggest that before people go investing in Smart Plugs that they invest in an Power Consumption Meter.

These devices plug into your GPO (Your standard 10amp power point) and then you connect the device under test. They can show you your current power draw and also your usage in kWh (kilo Watt hours).

The cost involved is about the same (or less) than purchasing one smart plug and can be used to test any device that can be plugged into any GPO to monitor its consumption.

I have had one of these for over 10 years and it is used to regularly test new devices and old devices to check their consumption.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

Easysaver — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 23:03:57 GMT

I received a wifi power monitor from Qld Government about 13 years ago and
that works well for my use.

Re: Saving energy using Wiz Smart Plug

NeilC — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 02:26:18 GMT

@Easysaver

So how much power does the Smart Plug use compared to leaving on the Remote Door Controller???

You did reply on this post:

"There seems a lot of if' and buts without any proof."

You also replied:

"I received a wifi power monitor from Qld Government about 13 years ago and that works well for my use"

You supposedly have the proof, so back it up with data and solve the IF'S and BUT'S.

People will read this and they need the actually data. I am with @Caban and truly believe you are using more power than leaving your door remote on.

You would really save more power by turning off your router in the house than leaving a few low power devices connected to the mains.

According to many sites the devices you use (or similar) use more power than turning off your modern smart TV.