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Want to cut your electric bill? Skip these scam 'power-saving' devices - and buy this instead

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My happy place -- Deep in testing scam product! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Scam "power-saving" devices waste money and risk safety.

Smart plugs and power strips actually cut energy costs.

Monitoring usage helps reduce bills and prevent waste.

People are more conscious than ever about their power bills and are looking for ways to save a few dollars each month. And while there are some practical -- mostly free -- ways to save money, the focus on energy costs has brought out the scammers.

They do nothing to save you power

Scam "power saving" devices are rampant online. These devices plug into an outlet and promise to "improve the use of energy," "extend the life of electrical equipment," and even "avoid illegal electrical waste."

Sounds great, right?

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