Whexnever I used to hear the words ‘smart home’, I always pictured some fancy mansion with voice-controlled everything. Honestly, as a typical middle-class guy from Jaipur, I thought, ‘Bhai, this is not for us. It’s expencive and unnecessary.’ But last year my electricty bill shot up to almost ₹4,500 in June because I kept forgetting to turn off the AC and water heater. That month, I realised there had to be a better way. Fast forward to 2025, and I now have a couple of smart devices in my house that not only make life easier but actually save me money (and arguments with my mom about switching off lights).
1. Smart LED bulbs – more than just colours
The first thing I invested in was a set of smart LED bulbs. Philips, Wipro, and even some Indian brands like Syska make bulbs you can control with your phone or voice assistant. I used to leave my bedroom light on all the time because the switch is by the door, and I’m lazy (confession time 😅). With smart bulbs, I can just tell my Google Assistant to turn them off or set a timer. It sounds silly, but those small moments add up. Plus, LEDs themselves consume way less power than the old CFLs we had.
I bought a pack of four for around ₹1,800 during a sale. The cool part? You can set them to warm light in the evening, which actually helps with sleep. My younger brother uses the colourful modes to make his room look like a mini disco – not exactly saving money, but at least he’s happy.
2. Smart plugs – turn anything into a smart device
Smart plugs are honestly underrated. They look like normal plug adapters but connect to Wi-Fi and let you control whatever is plugged into them. I use one for my water heater (geyser). Earlier, I’d switch the geyser on and then forget, sometimes leaving it running for an hour. Now, I have a schedule: it turns on at 6:30 am, runs for 15 minutes, and turns off automatically. My mom was sceptical at first (she still sometimes says ‘yeh sab drama hai’), but she admits our electricty bill dropped.
I also use a smart plug for our mosquito repellent machine. In Jaipur, mosquitoes are ruthless. We used to leave the machine running all night, even when there were no mosquitoes. With the plug, I set it to run from 7 pm to 11 pm. Small savings, but every bit counts. A good smart plug costs around ₹800–1,200 depending on brand (TP-Link, Portronics, Wipro, etc.).
3. Smart AC controller – our desi version of a thermostat
In western countries, people talk about smart thermostats all the time. In India, most of us have split AC units with remote controls. I found a device called Sensibo (there are cheaper ones like Oakter and Ambi Climate now) that sits near your AC and basically controls it. You connect it to Wi-Fi and then you can turn your AC on or off, adjust temperature, and set schedules from your phone.
Why is this useful? Imagine you’re out in the market and realise you left the AC on. It’s happened to me more than I’d like to admit. With the app, I just switch it off. You can also set geofencing: the AC automatically turns off when everyone leaves the house. It reduced our AC usage by about 20%, which directly showed up in the electric bill. Also, coming back to a cool room after a sweaty bike ride in 40°C Jaipur heat feels amazing.
4. Robot vacuum cleaners – not just for lazy people
I used to think robot vacuums were gimmicks meant for YouTube unboxing videos. Then my friend got one (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) and wouldn’t stop showing off how clean his floors were. I borrowed it for a weekend and was sold. It roams around the house, maps your floor plan, sweeps, and even mops. Sounds sci-fi, but it’s basically a practical time-saver.
But how does it save money? For one, we stopped paying for maid service to sweep every day. We still have someone come to do deep cleaning and utensils, but daily dust is handled by the robot. Secondly, these robots are pretty efficient; they use minimal electricity and water (for mopping). Mine runs every other day and I empty its dustbin once a week. I found one on sale for around ₹18k. Yeah, it’s an investment, but over a year, it saves both money and my back (I have mild slip disc issues, so bending to sweep is painful).
A funny story: The first time it ran, our dog thought it was a living creature and started barking and chasing it around. Eventually, they made peace, and now the dog just ignores it while it cleans around him. 😂
5. Smart security cameras & doorbells
Okay, this one isn’t a direct money saver but indirectly it saved us from an expensive headache. We installed a smart video doorbell (like Ring, but local brand Qubo) after a few package thefts in our neighbourhood. The camera sends a notification to our phones when someone rings the bell or even if there’s movement near our gate. One afternoon, we saw a clip of someone trying to break into the neighbours’ scooter. We alerted them in time. If we had lost something valuable, it would have cost us more than the ₹3k we paid for the doorbell. Plus, we now feel safer leaving packages outside when we’re not home.
Does it really save money? My monthly bill says yes
Before adding these devices, our average monthly electric bill was around ₹2,500 (except peak summer). After installing smart bulbs, plugs, and the AC controller, our bill dropped to around ₹2,000. In summer, it used to shoot up to ₹4,500; last year it was about ₹3,500. That’s ₹1,000 saved in just one month. Over the year, it adds up enough to cover the cost of some of these gadgets. I’m not claiming you’ll magically save lakhs, but the savings are real.
Common mistakes I made (so you don’t have to)
- Not checking Wi-Fi range – The smart plug in our bathroom kept disconnecting. Turns out, the Wi-Fi signal there was weak. A cheap range extender fixed it.
- Buying random cheap brands – I ordered a no-name smart bulb from a local online shop for ₹200. It stopped working in a week. Stick to known brands even if they’re a bit pricier.
- Ignoring power ratings – Some plugs are only rated for low-power devices. I almost plugged my 2,000W geyser into a 10A plug. Thankfully, I read the manual at the last minute.
- Not involving family – I set up everything and then wondered why my mom kept using the physical switches. Teach your family how to use the apps or voice controls; otherwise, you’ll just confuse everyone.
It’s not all perfect
Even with all the benefits, smart home tech has its quirks. Sometimes the apps glitch. Once, the lights wouldn’t turn on because the Wi-Fi was down. Another time, I accidentally set the AC to heat mode in the middle of summer. Also, there’s the initial cost. People might tease you for being lazy or too obsessed with tech (my uncle still calls me ‘shaukeen’), but if you see the long-term benefits, it’s worth it.
Final thoughts
I never thought I’d be the guy recommending smart home stuff. But here I am, telling you to at least try a couple of these devices. Start small with a smart bulb or plug and see how it fits your lifestyle. If you’re like me and always forgetting to switch things off, these gadgets are lifesavers. They also make you feel a bit like you’re living in the future, which is kinda cool.
If you’ve tried any smart home devices, let me know what you think. Did they actually save you money or just collect dust? Also, if you have suggestions for other budget-friendly gadgets I should try, drop a comment. I’m always looking to make my home smarter (and maybe lazier).
