While technological progress and legislation have cut the power consumption of many household appliances, the onslaught of new types of devices that are always on, such as smart speakers, smart TVs and Wi-Fi range extenders, threatens to wipe out all the gains made. So, what can you do?
All features of Eve Energy
Apr 27, 2021 - by Lars - Comments
Make your home smart the easy way by equipping it with HomeKit-enabled smart plugs. They’re super intuitive to use and you can set them up in no time at all. Once that’s done, you're ready to make your lamps and appliances smart and control them via an app, using easy-to-learn voice commands, based on a schedule or even by your presence.
Within minutes, you’ll have a Siri-enabled Christmas tree, your reading lamp will turn on in the evening automatically and your fan will start with a simple tap. Eve Energy also offers additional features including autonomous schedules, a power meter and a child lock – which is why our smart plug is one of the best-selling HomeKit products out there
Easier to set up and more secure
Another of Eve Energy’s stand-out features is that it supports both Thread and Bluetooth. Compared to even the latest Wi-Fi chips, which are still power-thirsty, Thread and Bluetooth are energy-saving, high-performance wireless technology standards – perfect for smart plugs that are usually only ever switched on and off a few times a day. Eve Energy is also easy to set up and works completely independently of your home network, saving you the hassle of having to jump through all the set up and security hurdles – who needs yet another device crowding their home network anyway?!
Eve Energy joins your Thread network automatically. As a router node, Eve Energy relays other Thread accessories’ data packages and enhances the stability and reach of your smart home. Thread accessories don’t need a proprietary bridge to communicate with each other – they simply need a Border Router, which for HomeKit over Thread is HomePod mini. Discover all you need to know about HomeKit over Thread here.
You can even add Thread support to your latest-generation Eve Energy simply by updating the accessory’s firmware. Discover if your Eve Energy can support Thread by visiting evehome.com/identify.
Setup
For best performance, plug Eve Energy directly into a wall outlet and only plug one appliance into the accessory – don’t go plugging Eve Energy into a power strip, and don’t go plugging one into the accessory either. Eve Energy is rated for a maximum current of 11 A / 2500 W (European model; see this link for all other variants). Eve Energy is the only smart plug with HomeKit technology that bears the TÜV Rheinland seal, offering you unparalleled reliability. To get started with installing and customizing Eve Energy, simply follow these steps:
Open the Eve app and tap Settings > Accessories > Add Accessory to [your home] to access the HomeKit dialog. Name your plug and add it to a room. Also choose an appropriate type so HomeKit can select an icon and suitable category for Siri. You can additionally assign the default HomeKit scenes to Eve Energy at this stage too.
The Eve app will now let you drill down and add further details to the type. Tap one of the three entries to choose from the range of accessories and icons on offer – and if you want, you can customize the name.
You can change everything at a later stage by going to Settings > Accessories > and then tapping the Eve Energy accessory. Here you can also change when/if the status LED lights up and set its brightness level to suit your needs and the room.
Top tip: Use the Child Lock button to lock the on/off switch and prevent anyone accidently switching off your freezer or aquarium pump.
Using Eve Energy in Eve
The detail view of Eve Energy contains the main controls such as the power on/off button, the schedule editor, plus a range of report and measurement functions showing you when Eve Energy was last switched on/off, how much power is currently being consumed and the projected cost. By tapping Edit, you can also add advanced parameters such as current and voltage in the detail view and change the order in which everything is arranged.
The Eve app not only shows you how much power the appliance plugged into your Eve Energy is consuming, but also keeps a record of total consumption and estimated annual cost, based on your electricity rate.
Enter your electricity rate under Settings > General > Energy Cost. The default is the average tariff for the country in which you are located (to do that, you just need to allow Eve to access your location).
Used a schedule to change the time you switch on an appliance or do you want to see what impact it’ll have? Change the calculation basis in the detail view of Eve Energy by expanding the Projected Cost segment and selecting a different basis such as the last day or minute.
In the detail view you can display the Total Consumption and Total Cost graphs by hour, day, week or month simply by tapping the i icon beneath each graph. In the Total Consumption view, you can display the information in a list or even export it in a spreadsheet format by tapping the share icon.
If you use several Eve Energy or Eve Energy Strip accessories, the Rooms > Types view gives you a concise overview of how much it’s costing you to power your appliances.
Top tip: You don’t need to worry about Eve Energy adding to your electricity bill as it only consumes a negligible amount of power at significantly less than 1 W. See here how to cut your power consumption in three simple steps.
Autonomous schedules
Like several other Eve accessories, Eve Energy also offers you autonomous schedules. They are stored on the accessory itself and even run when Eve Energy is not connected to your iPhone or home hub. They’re perfect for countless purposes as you can add schedules based on sunrise or sunset. Want to set your plant light to bathe your plant in a constant stream of growth-promoting light with a break at nighttime?
Simply go to the Schedule segment in the detail view and tap the gear icon. Then, set the weekday power off time to 2 hours after sunset and the power on time to 2 hours before sunrise.
If you want Eve Energy to control a lamp to give the impression that someone’s home, program Eve Energy to turn it on daily at different times so potential burglars will have a hard time identifying a pattern.
If you plug in an appliance that you use differently on weekdays and weekends, such as an espresso machine, simply configure Eve Energy to turn it on early enough on workdays so it starts to warm up ready to serve up an espresso when you get to the kitchen.
Top tip: Other Eve accessories, including Eve Thermo, Eve Aqua, Eve Light Switch (EU / US), and the sister product of Eve Energy – the smart power strip Eve Energy Strip – also feature these handy autonomous schedules. Please note that this feature is not available for Eve Energy models sold in China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
HomeKit automations
Using automations to switch the power on or off makes sense if you need to control several appliances at once or if you only want them to be active when you’re actually at home. This is where HomeKit comes into play (or more accurately: an essential home hub).
The example rules below each trigger a scene, which in turn activates Eve Energy and the connected appliance. You can add these scenes quickly and easily via the detail view of your accessory. Tap the Automation segment and then Add Scene. In the case of a lamp, set the target value for Power to ON, test your scene, and then complete the scene by entering a name and choosing an icon (such as "movie night" and the armchair icon).
Create an automation which triggers your movie night scene when you enter the family room in the evening. To do so, tap Automation > Rules > Add Rule > Next > Add Trigger > Accessory > Motion and then choose MOTION as the trigger value for the Eve Motion accessory in that room. Following that, as a Time Condition set the TYPE to DAY EVENT, the RELATION to AFTER and the TIME to SUNSET. Now all you need to do is select the movie night scene.
If you don’t have a motion detector, you can instead use your presence as determined by your iOS device as a trigger – at appropriate times, of course. Simply tap Add Trigger > Leaving or arriving at location > ARRIVING AT [...] > Add. As the Time Condition, this time select TYPE > EXACT TIME, RELATION > AFTER and set the TIME to 5 pm. Once again, complete the process by selecting your movie night scene.
Top tip: In many respects the Apple Home app offers fewer automation options than the Eve app. However, it does offer several special options due to the privacy architecture of HomeKit. Thus, the Home app lets you add rules that run based on your or a family member’s presence such as "When somebody/nobody is home" or "When I am home/When I am not at home". Scenes which remain active for a set duration are another automation option exclusive to the Home app. While rules and scenes configured in the Home app are displayed in the Eve app, you can’t change them at the relevant points.
Control using Siri
Smart plugs and Siri are a match made in heaven. First, you can phrase really simple commands as the plugs only have an on or off state. Second, you can tag plugs in multiple ways because they carry a Siri name, represent a type of accessory and are assigned to scenes, groups, rooms or zones.
Control using the Siri name: "Hey Siri, turn on the Christmas Tree."
Control based on device type: "Hey Siri, is my light on?"
Control as part of a scene: "Hey Siri, Good Morning!"
Control as part of a group: "Hey Siri, turn off all kitchen appliances."
Control by room: "Hey Siri, turn off the power in the Bathroom."
Control by zone: "Hey Siri, turn on the air dehumidifiers in the Basement."
Use cases
with Eve Motion:
Automate your festive lights with Eve Energy and Eve Motion
with Eve Room:
Improve indoor air by automating your dehumidifier
Tackle dry air caused by your heating
Enhance your morning routine:
Lighting the Way to a Peaceful Routine
Enjoy the perfect espresso in a shot with Eve Energy serving it up nice and hot
The perfect way to start your day – with HomeKit
Increase the reach of your devices
Add HomePod mini to your home and your latest-generation Thread-enabled Eve Energy will be able to communicate via Thread – the mesh network that reaches even the farthest corners of your abode. This happens automatically without you needing to configure anything. A Full Thread Device, such as Eve Energy, can act as a router node and relay data packets from other Thread devices.
To view the structure of your Thread network and see where you can make improvements, simply go to the Settings area of the Eve app and tap Thread Network. Among other things, you’ll be able to tell which nodes your Thread devices use to communicate and whether you can further improve the stability and reach of your network and devices by adding one more Eve Energy or moving one to a better location.
If you don’t have a HomePod mini, you can simply use Eve Extend. Eve Extend connects directly to Eve accessories beyond the reach of your iPhone or home hub, and makes them available across your Wi-Fi network.
Smart Plug & Power Meter
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Supports Thread (Europe, U.K., U.S. & Canada)
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Connected Triple Outlet
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Wireless Motion Sensor
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Mar 20, 2020
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I have about 8 Eve Energy (plugs), I use a few to see the energy consumption, so they are permanently ON. One is for the freezer in the garage for example.I have been trying to find a way to alert me if the Eve Energy switches to off, plus if there was a power cut etc. but there does not seem to be a way.
Can Eve set up a notification process in the app if a Eve Energy is permanently ON (with no scheduling) and goes off for any reason please?
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Hello Dave! Unfortunately HomeKit does not provide this feature, so we can't either. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Heya! Do the eve power plugs register and log power outage / brownout events? Cheers, Johann- Reply
Hello Johann! No, they don't. On a power oputage no measurements are taken. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hey! Dumb question: are the eve smart plugs only available on 2.4 Ghz?- Reply
Hello Shawn! Eve Energy uses Bluetooth or Thread to connect, not Wi-Fi. Best regards, Volker- Reply
HI, I am brand new to Eve Energy switches. I don’t understand the steps to just set up a switch to turn a lamp on at a certain time or relative to sunset. And then how to set it to turn it off.Thanks- David
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Is there some straightforward way to automate an intermittent on/off cycle? For example, suppose I have an appliance I want to be turned on for one minute out of ten, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. — so, powered on from 7:00-7:01, 7:10-7:11, 7:20-7:21, … , 21:50-21:51, and off otherwise. It would be quite onerous to do this by scheduling all the on/off events individually, the more so if I later wanted to change to make the cycle (say) one minute in nine instead. Thanks.- Reply
Hello John! As the function Schedule in Eve is limited seven on/off events per day, this will not work. You need to set up an automation that does the trick. You may set more that one time based triggers to do so. Some work ahead. Best regards, Volker- Reply
How many amps can these plugs handle? I want to plug my Tesla into one to monitor the power usage for charging. I charge using a standard 110 outlet in the US. Would using an Eve outlet reduce the amperage available to the car or damage the Eve?- Reply
Hello John! Please don't use Eve Energy (US) for the car charger, it won't stand it, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi there,if you plug in, let.’s say, a washing machine, can you monitor when it stops working?
For instance, monitoring when watts consuming is under, I’d say, 3 watts for 5 minutes?
Thanks
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Hello Stefano! The consumption can't be used as a trigger in an automation with Eve Energy, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
When will Eve Energy be updated to support Thread? (In Australia).- Reply
Hello David! The current generation of Eve Energy (AU) is not ready for Thread. We will be releasing new hardware generations of many Eve devices with Thread support later this year, but unfortunately can't give any further details on when this will be the case for Eve Energy (AU) at this time.Here's a list of all the currently available Thread-enabled Eve accessories:
https://www.evehome.com/de/identify-your-eve-accessory
Best regards, Volker
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Volver.En varios países de SudAmerica se tiene una tensión 220vac- 50 Hz.
Los dispositivos EVE pueden ser conectados a esas características...?
Qué otros dispositivos(marcas...fabricantes)de iluminación, interruptores, zoquetes, etc existen en 220 vac/50 Hz???
Urgente su atenta respuesta pues tengo varios proyectos en marcha.
Gracias.
PD. Do you need translation?.
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Hello Franz! The EU versions of Eve Energy (EU) and Eve Light Switch (EU) use 220V as we do over here. I am not aware of other solutions, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hello, i am ver y happy with Eve Energy. Can an appliance that turns on automatically and uses 6 amps be shuted off if ITS amps gets below 5.5 amps by The Eve App?- Reply
Hello Miguel! Consumption and Current can't be used as a trigger for an automation, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi,I’m a new purchaser of Eve Power Strip. I have set up one strip, and all was fairly ok. I have absolutely No Idea how to set up the strip to read power consumption and can’t find instructions on how to. Neither can I figure out where and how to Read what the power consumption has been. Help!
Yael
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Hello Yael! You need to use the app Eve to read the actual and historical consumption. In Eve gotoRooms > room with Eve Energy Strip > Eve Energy Strip and open it. You'll find the consumption there. Best regards, Volker
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The Eve Energy product page says the led is configurable however I don’t see any option to do so in the Eve app Thanks.- Reply
Hello Bangali! Please open die App Eve and goto Settings > Accessories > Eve Energy > Status LED and set it.Best regards, Volker
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Can you tell me what the maximum distance is from an Apply HomePod Mini to the first Eve thread device? is there a maximum. I have an appliance which is too far for Bluetooth, but is from the older series and the appliance is not Thread enabled.- Reply
Hello Roger! This max distance should not exceed 10 meters / 30ft. We always recommend to add a powered Eve accessory with Thread support half way to extend the range, please read: https://www.evehome.com/en-us/blog/discover-your-thread-networkBest regards, Volker
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I know earlier you said the smart outlet will return to its previous state but is there anyway to change the setting so it is always off after a power outage? That would be a feature I would really like to see and would definitely be buying some if that was an option. Thanks- Reply
Hello TS! This is set in firmware and can't be edited by the user, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Is it possible to schedule the export of usage data? Say on a weekly basis? Via e-mail?I used to use the Wemo Smart Plug for this but their reliability isn't great and the new requirements for a wemo account are worrying.
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Hello Dave! The export of the historical data can only be done manually, sorry. As we don't use any cloud service due to security concerns, the historical data only 'sit' on the Eve accessory and you can download it to your iOS device. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi! Is it possible to use the current wattage drawn from a socket as a trigger for another device?- Reply
Hello Mo! Sorry, but this is not possible in HomeKit, it can only be used in a condition. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi,Any plan for a dimmer function? This would be for a string of dimmable 120V LED lights.
Thanks
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Hello Mikael! Sorry, but we don't have any plans to implement a dimmer function. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi! Would it be possible to add a timer, switching off the device once the onboard button is triggered? Regards,Björn
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Hello Björn! Sorry but this is not possible in HomeKit. Some customers use the app Shortcuts from Apple to get this done. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hi, if i dont have an Homepod or a Thread bridge (i have an 4gen Apple TV) can it still connect to Homekit when im not home? Like connecting to Apple Tv via bluetooth or something? Thanks- Reply
Hello Valentino! Sure you can. When using an Apple TV 4 it will act as a home hub, provide remote access but will connect using Bluetooth. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Hello, I wish to create a scene were I can switch on a light for a period of time. Say 30 minutes then it switches off automatically. Eg Hey Siri switch bedtime lamp on. It should also be possible to switch on and of the lamp normally eg Hey Siri Switch lamp on/off. Is this possible?- Reply
Hello Steven! Sorry, but this is not possible in HomeKit. Only inside an automation where turning on light is part of the scene this can be deactivated after 30 minutes. You may be able to get this done with the help of the app Shortcuts from Apple. Best regards, Volker- Reply
What’s happen if the Eve energy smart plug pass through a power outage?Does remember the last state?
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Hello Raul! Correct, once power is back the last state will be established. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Is there an option to enable a rule or automatisation that when the energy consumption falls below or above "x", the eve energy plug turns off for a duration for "y"?- Reply
Hello Sascha! Sorry, but both is not possible with HomeKit. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Would this feature be available in the eve app? It would be really useful as I would like to plug an AC to the device and make an automation rule like: if AC is working and a door is opened for most than 2 minutes then device OFF. Thanks- Reply
Hello Enrique! HomeKit does not offer the option to delay, sorry. Best regards, Volker- Reply
My house is relatively spread out over numerous floors in a typical concrete construction found in Taiwan. Wifi does not work so well, and so I look forward to having Thread-enabled devices to help propagate signals.Will your products sold in Taiwan be Thread enabled ? Or can they be by updating their firmware ?
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Hello Matt! If even Wi-Fi is not working well in your home I am not sure about Thread, it is IPv6. In terms of versions, Thread enabled Eve Energy (US/UK/EU) are available. There is no way updating the firmware on other regional models as the radio for IPv6 is missing from the chipset on the accessory. Best regards, Volker- Reply
Does Eve Energy expose an trigger when energy usage exceeds a set amount? This way I can use it to trigger other scenes when a device is in use or not in use.- Reply
Hello Lacrocious! This is not possible with HomeKit, sorry. Best regards, volker- Reply
In which condition could you use the current Eve Energy (EU)(gen4) outdoors? Is there an outdoor version planned with higher IP rating?- Reply
Hello Peter! Eve Energy (EU) is for indoor use only. Some customers use it outside but is has to be covered because of 0°C - 35°C / 32°F - 104°F, 5% - 95% humidity. No plans for an outdoor version. Best regards, Volker- Reply
We’re using the Eve Energy Smart Plug to automate our Victorian farmhouse in the Welsh borders. A terrific product.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q26draFDvT0