The best smart plugs do operate ... can play nice with your broader smart home ecosystem. Some smart plugs come with added features, such as energy monitoring or IFTTT capabilities, too.

Some home energy monitors are relatively simple ... Home solar panels may not always be the best choice due to costs, space constraints, and the amount of sun your roof gets.

The first step to reducing the energy consumption of your home is figuring out how much ... you can build a very robust DIY energy monitoring system without having to modify your AC wiring.