Smart plugs

A smart plug sits between a power point and whatever you plug into it. You control it from an app or voice assistant to switch the device on and off, set schedules or check energy use.

They're cheap, easy to set up, require no electrician and you can move them around. They're great for:

Lamps that you want on a timer.
Fans, heaters and electric blankets with simple on and off switches.
Christmas lights and seasonal decorations.
Coffee machines or kettles, if the appliance supports it safely.
Turning off standby power to TVs and entertainment units overnight.

Limits of smart plugs

Smart plugs only control what's plugged into a power point. They can't control ceiling lights, downlights or anything fixed to the wiring. They also take up space, sometimes block the second outlet on a double point, and look a little clunky.

Each plug has a maximum load. Running a high-draw appliance like a large heater through a cheap smart plug can overheat it. Choose quality brands, check the rated load and stay well within it. Not every appliance should be remotely switched either. Anything that could cause a fire if it switched on unattended, like an iron or a bar heater with clothes nearby, is best left off a schedule.

Hardwired smart switches

A smart switch replaces a wall switch and is connected directly to the circuit. It controls whatever that switch runs, usually lighting, and gives you app control, schedules, scenes and voice control. The wall switch still works normally, which matters for visitors and family who don't use the app.

They look like an ordinary switch, don't need special globes and suit whole rooms of downlights. Smart dimmers work the same way, with dimming added.

Limits of smart switches

They must be installed by a licensed electrician, so there's an installation cost. Many models need a neutral wire at the switch, which older homes don't always have. Dimming versions need compatible lights. And unlike a plug, you can't just take them with you when you move.

Which suits what

Ceiling lights and downlights: smart switch or dimmer.
Lamps: smart plug or smart globe.
Outdoor lighting: smart switch, or a timer on the circuit.
Portable appliances: smart plug, within its rated load.
Exhaust fans and ceiling fans: a suitable smart switch or the fan's own app, depending on the model.
Pool pumps and garden equipment: usually a timer or controller designed for the job, installed properly.

Renters and owners

Renters usually can't change switches, so smart plugs and globes are the obvious choice. Owners planning to stay, or renovating, get a neater result from smart switches. Customers in newer estates like Calderwood and Tullimbar often choose smart switching while building, because it's simplest to plan before the walls are closed.

Mixing both

Most homes end up with a combination. Smart switches for the main lights and a few smart plugs for lamps and seasonal decorations. Keeping them all in one app makes life simpler, and it means one set of schedules and scenes rather than three different apps that don't talk to each other.

Safety switches

Whatever you add, every circuit should be protected by a safety switch. Our safety switches page explains why.

Let's set it up

We install smart switches and set up the apps as part of our smart home work. See our indoor lighting page for smart switching options, and our power point installs page if you need extra outlets.

Call or text Kalani on 0424 400 346. Photos of the switches you'd like to replace help us check for that neutral wire.

Smart plugs vs hardwired smart switches