With the plummeting prices of electricity, homeowners are finding ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money. Many consumers look into energy-saving products that promise to help drive down energy usage. But, the question is, are these power saving devices worth your money, or are they an outright waste?
How Energy Saving Devices Work
Energy saving devices are currently gaining popularity in the market. Some of the most commonly used ones today are power strips, smart energy meters, smart outlets, LED bulbs, and energy-saving appliances.
Many energy saving devices are comprised of capacitors which counteract the inductive elements of the energy load, which in turn enhances the efficiency of the power distribution. If you have household appliances that have inefficient motors, using a power saving device may help make these devices operate more efficiently.
Some other energy saving devices work by making your electronic devices consume less energy, or by automatically cutting off the electric supply when the appliance is not in use. It is important to note that several of the appliances we use at home still draw power when plugged in even if they are not being used. Among them are the television, microwave oven, coffee maker, chargers, and desktop computers. All these translate into wasted energy and significant addition (as much as 10%) on your electric bill.
By using smart power strips that automatically turn off the power supply when the devices attached to the socket are not being used, you can save a significant amount of electricity in a year.
LED bulbs and other energy saving appliances 
are other popular choices for consumers who are conscious about their consumption of energy. These devices tend to utilize less power and are known to work more effectively compared to older appliances models.
On the other hand, energy savings meters don’t necessarily change (or reduce) the amount of your household’s energy usage. Instead, smart meters can be helpful so you can understand how you consume energy. You could use one of those smart meters to figure out how much energy your home appliances consume and find ways to reduce or control your electricity usage to save money.
So, Do Energy Saving Devices Really Work?
The short answer is yes! BUT, it is up to you to choose the right device suitable to your home or application you want. The efficiency of these power saving devices will largely depend on how you use them and take advantage of their uses. Some power saving devices work by directly reducing the amount of energy your appliances, such as your heating/cooling systems consume, while others rely on power factor correction. When used appropriately, these devices do offer a substantial amount of potential savings.
On the other hand, there are some power saving devices that only highlight or educate you about the amount of energy you are using. These devices may not offer you direct energy saving, but, they can help you identify power hungry appliances in your home. They also help you examine how you use energy and control your usage to save energy.