Have you heard about smart homes and wondered, “What is an outdoor smart plug?” — The Department of Energy’s Better Building Solution Center states that smart outlets “control the flow of power to devices plugged into them and measure their energy use,” as an integral part of an energy management system.
A smart plug is essentially a smart outlet that’s not hardwired into the home or building and instead plugs into a standard outlet as an adapter to perform similar functions as a smart outlet.
Read on for an introduction to smart plugs and find out what sets an outdoor smart plug apart from its indoor counterpart. We share some ideas for how an outdoor smart plug might bring convenience, peace of mind, and even sustainability savings to your home.
- Understand how smart plugs work and how they can automate tasks outside your home
- Explore uses for outdoor smart plugs–from winning the neighborhood holiday decorating contest to increasing security or ensuring your plants get the care they need while you’re away
- Know what to look for when choosing an outdoor smart plug that works for your needs
What is an outdoor smart plug?
A smart plug is an outlet that you can control from your phone. Smart plugs are inserted into an existing outlet, much like a power strip, and use WiFi and BlueTooth to make the outlet “smart.”
What is the difference between an indoor and outdoor smart plug?
The difference between outdoor versus indoor smart plugs is their durability and how weatherproof they’re designed to be. Smart plugs are safe for outdoor use as long as they have been designed for outdoor use. Those designed for use outside are more rugged, have undergone rigorous testing, and have received an IP rating to indicate they will hold up safely against year-round weather conditions.
The IP rating consists of two numbers. The first number represents the level of protection against solids–such as sand, fingers, etc. which could enter the outlet. The second number represents the protection against liquids–such as rainfall, submersion, etc. Each number ranges from 0-6, and typically outdoor plugs should have an IP rating of IP64 or better. With each higher rating, your smart plug safety increases.
How do you hook up an outdoor smart plug?
First, hook up an outdoor smart plug by choosing one that works for your needs. Consider the durability, number of outlets, distance from your WiFi router, device compatibility (such as your smart speaker), and size. What makes the plug “smart” is the fact that it can respond to the commands you send via your phone or smart speaker via voice assistance. Smart plugs use WiFi and BlueTooth to change a regular outlet into one you can control from an app or with your voice.
The smart plug you choose should come with device-specific installation and setup instructions. First, you plug the device into your outdoor outlet. Then, you connect the plug to your WiFi. Next, make sure to download the appropriate app and use BlueTooth to connect the device to your phone. From there, many smart plugs are controllable by other in-home BlueTooth assistant-style devices, such as Alexa and Siri smart speakers.
Why would I use a smart plug?
An outdoor smart plug can bring comfort, safety, and convenience to your outdoor recreation, yard maintenance, and home security.
Here are just a few ways to use smart plugs:
- Pool filtration automation. You can have your filters run on a timer so that you can rest assured your pool is clean when you’re ready to use it and that the filters have time to rest as well.
- Sprinkler systems. Set up your sprinklers to run at certain times of day, or control them so that you’re not running them unnecessarily when unexpected rain clouds appear.
- Control your holiday lights and inflatables.
- Turn on the outdoor light when you’re away, illuminating specific areas where you have security cameras, or to ensure you’re able to unlock the door easily upon arrival.
- Greenhouse condition automation. React to the weather and control conditions in your greenhouse even when you’re away on vacation. Many systems can be programmed to react to weather conditions, sunset time, or outdoor temperature.
- Connect your garage door opener to your smart plug. You can set it to turn off while you’re at work and once you get home for the night–this saves energy and makes it much more difficult for potential intruders to open your garage door.
Using a smart plug for the outside of your home can save a considerable amount of money, since you can control the devices while you’re away on vacation or set them to run on a timer while you’re out running errands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the smart outdoor plug?
It will depend on your WiFi range as well as the type of outdoor plug you purchase. Many have built-in WiFi extenders, so it shouldn’t be a problem to use them within a couple of hundred feet of your home.
What is the downside of a smart plug?
Smart plugs rely on a power source and WiFi. If either of these goes down, it will mean that your smart plug is down. If this happens, you will likely have to reconnect to WiFi and BlueTooth. Once power and WiFi are operating, you will be able to control the plug remotely again.
Do smart plugs increase your electricity bill?
Smart plugs use a negligible amount of energy. They do draw a little bit of electricity, but it’s typically only about 10kWh over the course of a year. You shouldn’t notice any substantial changes in your electricity bill.
