Well, we all know how popular smart bulbs are today. But as more and more people are switching to smart bulbs, one question is frequently asked.
Do smart bulbs use electricity when off? Let’s try to find an answer for that today,
Smart Bulbs vs. Filament Bulbs
Probably the debate that started it all. Filament bulbs are regarded as the first ever generation of modern-day light bulbs. Remember that we don’t include the ‘nixie tubes’ in this category which were used widely back in the 1950s until the invention of LEDs.
As the name indicates, a filament bulb was powered up by glowing cathode gases within a chamber around a filament. The filament then glowed and produced light. Unlike smart bulbs, there was no dimmer used with filament bulbs.
Smart Bulbs vs. Standard LEDs
Filament bulbs could rule the world of artificial luminance for almost two centuries. Many corners around the globe still use filament bulbs to keep the product line in demand.
But the fragile nature of the bulb led the world to switch toward LED bulbs in the later half of the 20th century.
We commonly use standard LEDs around the globe in the form of bulbs and lighting. The smart bulbs that are stirring a revolution these days are the next generation of the same LED bulbs all of us are familiar with.
Why should you use a Smart Bulb in the first place?
That’s a very good question. Why do you think that you must use smart bulbs in the first place? Like the market is practically loaded with colored LED light options that most people are familiar with.
But some features are enclosed within smart LED bulbs that are spot on and can’t be found anywhere else. The smart LED bulbs allow you to control the bulb thoroughly with the help of a mobile app or a hub. This also involves controlling the brightness of the bulb whenever you want.
Smart Bulbs control for better Bill Management
Undoubtedly, the features of a smart bulb are far more advanced than traditional LED bulbs or filament bulbs. But the real surprise is that smart bulbs use more power than any other bulb. Yes, even more power than the filament bulbs.
This is a trend recorded by experts all over the globe, and research is being done to find the exact reason behind this. But most experts believe that it has to do something with the features in smart bulbs that require extra power to keep them ready to use.
Do Smart Bulbs use Electricity when off?
As surprising as it may be, your smart bulbs may be the culprit behind your climbing utility bills. The reason is that they do use electricity even when you’ve turned them off and are carefree about them adding to your electricity costs.
As smart bulbs are not the same as normal bulbs, they have a lot more going on in the background to keep things bright and running. That is why your smart bulbs continue to increase electricity costs even when they’re off because they still need electricity to keep functioning and on standby.
To prevent that from happening, here’s what you can do:
- Turning off the main power breaker
This is perhaps the simplest and most old-school way to stop your smart bulbs from using electricity. Turning off your power breaker is the easiest way to reduce electricity costs when you’re not at home or don’t need electricity. Do so, and you won’t have to worry about your smart home adding to your electricity bills even when your smart bulbs are off.
- Timing the bulb through app/hub control
Another smart way to stop your choice to get smart bulbs in your home from weighing down on you financially is to use a smartphone app. All you need is to connect your smart bulbs to a smart hub/bridge and program your smart bulbs to turn off and on on time when they are needed and not. Call it birds of a feather flocking together if you may, but smart technology paired together is a smart way to cut down costs.
- Making sure there is no voltage leakage
While your smart bulbs are the main cause, a possible reason they might be using electricity even when they’re turned off could be due to a possible voltage leakage.
Make sure to check your power outlets if your electricity bills have been high since you converted your home to a smart home with smart bulbs to ensure no voltage leakage may be causing them to use electricity when they’re turned off.
- Efficient power distribution
The reason your smart bulbs may be adding a little too much to your utility bills could be due to your own choices. If you’re burdening the power in your house by connecting all of the smart bulbs to a single power breaker, then you are partly to blame.
Make sure to distribute power efficiently throughout your smart home, depending on the number of smart gadgets you have. Distribute a limited number of smart bulbs per smart breaker to reduce electricity costs.
- Using Smart Bulbs Efficiently
A smart way to cut electricity costs is to use your smart bulbs efficiently. You can achieve that goal by connecting your smart bulbs in a series. While it may not seem like the brightest option, it will greatly help your wallet. Once one smart bulb is turned off, the rest will follow since they’re all connected in a series, and you won’t have to worry about leaving one or two on behind you when you’re not at home.
Final Note
Claiming that smart bulbs are the only feasible option to light up your home won’t be a fair statement since many more options are available. There are many possible options, from LED bulbs to filament bulbs and more, in the ever-evolving market, but smart bulbs are changing the game regardless.
The question of ‘do smart bulbs use electricity when off’ is a valid concern when deciding whether or not to choose it. While the answer to that question is yes, there are many ways to avoid that, and it does not count as acceptable grounds for discarding the option of smart bulbs altogether.
