Smart bulbs have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. They’re simple to use, work as advertised, and provide an easy introduction to the world of home automation. Plus, there’s something undeniably fun about commanding your lights to turn on or off.
Smart bulbs pack some clever technology inside, which leads many to wonder if they use more energy than traditional LED bulbs. After all, they have additional components to communicate with your phone or Wi-Fi network. So are these gadgets energy efficient, or does the convenience come with a cost?
Do smart bulbs use more energy than standard LED bulbs?
The short answer is yes. Smart bulbs do use a tiny bit more energy than standard LED bulbs. This comes down to the nature of the technology. Both types use the same amount of energy when lighting a room, but standard LEDs draw no power when turned off. Smart bulbs, however, draw a small amount of power when not in use to stay connected to Wi-Fi or a hub.
According to a 2019 study published in ScienceDirect, “when a user turns off a smart LED bulb from a mobile device, the bulb stops emitting light; however it is constantly consuming power.” The study found that of the 30 smart LED bulbs tested, 21 had standby power consumption levels of less than 0.5 watts, meeting the requirement set by the Energy Star program.
How much more energy does a smart bulb use?
Smart bulbs use very little electricity in standby mode. This varies by manufacturer and model, but devices like the TP-Link Tapo are marketed as drawing about 0.2 watts in standby, while Philips Hue stated in a whitepaper that most of its “newer products” consume less than 0.5 watts in standby mode.
A single bulb’s standby power consumption will increase your energy bill by $0.35 to $1.30 per year, though this can vary depending on local utility rates. For most people, this difference is negligible and shouldn’t deter smart bulb adoption.
The US Department of Energy notes that devices left in standby mode account for about 5 to 10 percent of a home’s total electricity use. The biggest standby power culprits are things like microwaves, televisions, routers, and computers.
Can you still save money in the long run?
Absolutely. The extra power draw of a smart bulb is so small that the other benefits it offers can offset the cost and even reverse it. One of the main features of a smart bulb is the ability to turn it on or off at will via an app or smart assistant. Another key feature is scheduling. Together, these can significantly reduce the amount of time the bulb is being used. Many models also support dimming, which further lowers the energy load.
Are there other hidden costs with smart bulbs?
There is one other notable cost factor, though it’s not hidden at all. That’s the price of the bulbs themselves. Smart bulbs tend to be more expensive to buy compared to standard bulbs. Traditional LEDs cost anywhere from $1.50 to $4 per bulb, and multipacks can lower the cost even further. Smart bulbs start at around $6, in the case of IKEA’s current offering, and go all the way up to around $90. However, the average price sits at around $8 to $15 per bulb. Multipacks can help keep costs down.
Do smart bulbs last longer than traditional LEDs?
No, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that. Smart bulbs are generally rated slightly below traditional LED bulbs when it comes to lifespan. This is mainly due to the extra components inside a smart bulb, which can wear down over the years. On paper, standard LEDs last 20 to 40 years, while smart bulb LEDs last anywhere from 15 to 25 years.
Again, this can be offset by the nature of the technology. Smart bulbs may not stay powered on as long as always-on light bulbs, but the added control options will likely result in a more cost-effective usage schedule.
