10 Useful Things You Can Do With a Matter Smart Plug

While it may seem that Matter smart plugs are just like any other, they are not. Aside from Wi-Fi connectivity, they can be set to run on a schedule. Some are also compatible with energy monitoring software.

With a Matter smart switch, the possibilities of remotely controlling and scheduling the activity of devices is enhanced. These 10 examples of useful ways to use a Matter smart plug illustrate this.

1. Monitor Energy Usage and Save Money

One of the biggest strengths of Matter is its interoperability with different systems. This enhances the possibilities with hardware, enabling things like scenes (where multiple devices, regardless of manufacturer, can react to multiple triggers) and even energy monitoring.

Various Matter-compatible smart plugs support energy monitoring, such as the Eve Energy, although this is typically a feature of premium plugs.

Where this feature is included, however, you can monitor and check usage in your hub app. This affords considerable insight into how devices are used in your home, when energy use is greatest, and when you’re paying the most. Use this information to set smarter schedules and save money wherever possible.

2. Program Your Slow Cooker

If you own a slow cooker, the chances are you opted for a pretty affordable model, just in case you didn’t take to it. Basic slow cookers don’t feature a timer, which is where a Matter smart plug can prove useful.

Once the slow cooker is loaded up with a meal ready to cook, and you have set the right temperature, you can use the smart plug to control when it is ready. Keep in mind you need 6-10 hours for a meal, you can ensure the slow cooker switches off when the meal should be ready. This is preferable to letting the ingredients stew (unless you’re cooking a, uh, stew).

Of course, you can also monitor how much energy the slow cooker uses.

3. Add a Timer to Your Electric Heater

I work in an office at the end of the garden, so in the winter months a plug-in heater is ideal. Any sort of external building – a garden room, gym, dance studio, whatever – can benefit from a heater during winter.

As these heaters typically take a while to warm up, scheduling an early start is a good idea. Simply ensure the heater itself is set to on, adjust the thermostat, and plug it in with your Matter smart plug.

Using the Matter hub app, set a schedule, and enjoy walking into a warm outhouse on a frozen January morning.

4. Fool Burglars When You’re Away

Remember in Home Alone when Kevin fools the Wet Bandits into thinking the house is occupied? With a Matter-controlled smart plug, this illusion would have been far easier to achieve.

One or more lamps paired with Matter smart plugs can be used to convey the idea that someone is in your empty house. Perhaps a light in one room goes off, then another at the opposite end of the house switches on.

To an observing burglar, this is a house that isn’t worth the risk. You might also bring some other Matter equipment into the mix, creating a scene where the TV switches on when the lights are dimmed. Or perhaps a radio switches on shortly after the kitchen light comes on.

5. Turn Off Those “Fire Risk” Hair Styling Devices

I live in a house with three women. My wife and daughters all use hair tongs, curlers, straighteners, and of course, hair dryers. They’re also prone to leaving them on. I’ve given up with complaining, I just check they’re off before we go out.

So-called “beauty blazes” are regular causes of fires in homes and flats, but are easily avoided by unplugging. Or you could employ a smart plug.

Of course, any old smart plug is useful for this, but one with Matter integration means you can disable the tongs from your hub app. You can also keep an eye on the energy use associated with hair care gadgets...

6. Control Lawn Sprinklers and Plant Watering

Powered water pumps connected to drip irrigation systems are a great way to manage watering of plants and vegetables, particularly in greenhouses. However, they’re not so good at spotting when no more water is required. A sudden change in the weather can make irrigation pointless, which is when a smart plug comes in useful.

Similar use for a Matter smart plug can be found in lawn management. Even if your existing sprinkler has a timer, having remote control through your Matter hub app means you can switch off watering when it starts to rain without getting wet yourself.

Incidentally, Matter-compatible garden equipment is available.

7. Activate a Fan or Other Cooling Unit

If you need to use a portable A/C unit or fan, it is likely it doesn’t have any advanced controls. The solution here, of course, is to employ a Matter compatible smart plug.

This can be paired with a temperature sensor to determine when the cooling should commence. Or you might prefer to set the timer to ensure gusts of cooled air around your home before get home. Thanks to Matter hub apps, multiple options are available.

Oh, don’t forget to check how much staying cool is costing you...

8. Control Garden Lighting

Garden lighting can also deter intruders. After all, an illuminated garden is difficult to cross if you don’t want to be seen.

Outdoor lights and garden lights can also be controlled using Matter. If Matter-compatible units are out of the question, a smart plug can be employed where suitable.

As well as setting a schedule, you can use your Matter hub app to switch lights on and off.

9. Dry Your Clothes Efficiently and Safely

Tumble dryers and heated clothes horses can both benefit from Matter-compatible smart plugs. Both devices can cause fires if used without care, so careful control over their use is recommended.

A smart plug with a schedule or timer set can help to ensure your tumble dryer doesn’t explode. Similarly, you can set a heated clothes horse to switch on at specific times, perhaps when power is most affordable.

By the way, if your Matter smart plug supports energy monitoring, sit down before you check how much the tumble dryer uses.

10. Switch Off Lamps and Lights All Year Round

Lamps and lights can be switched on and off in any circumstances, not just when burglars threaten. Hard to reach plugs (perhaps behind a sofa) can be enhanced with a smart plug. This might make switching on your favorite reading lamp far easier.

You could even use a smart plug to manage the timing of your child’s favorite nightlight. Cheaper models don’t include timers, but a Matter smart plug can add schedule support. If there is a motion sensor in the room, this could also be factored into a scene that switches off the nightlight when it detects that the child is asleep.

This can be extended to Christmas tree lights, too. And with LEDs on your tree that have controllable color temperature, the results could be remarkable. A red, gold, and green glow that switches on as you enter the room on Christmas morning? Hallelujah for smart plugs!