Energy conservation is getting easier and easier. Or, some may say, cheesier and cheesier. Exhibit the UFO Power Center, a new smart outlet and energy monitor from Silicon Valley startup Visible Energy.

Named for its spaceship shape, the UFO Power Center is a Wi-Fi enabled, four-outlet power management center that can be controlled using an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The UFO Power Center connects to the Wi-Fi home network and provides real-time power monitoring, as well on/off switching and timer control of up to four electrical devices. No PC or computer is required.

The top of the UFO Power center opens like a flower to allow wires to be plugged in. Also on top is a light that glows green when a low amount of power is being used and red when a higher amount is being consumed. That can provide a good visual cue to homeowners that they might want to save energy.

The “Energy UFO” app used to control the Power Center displays energy usage and cost in real-time, provides remote control and scheduling capabilities. Visible Energy says the UFO Power Center can be programmed to automatically shut devices off at certain times. The device can also function as a smart surge suppressor with master and slave controls so a DVD player turns off when a TV or receiver powers down, saving on unnecessary standby power.

In addition to the iPad and iPhone, the company’s devices also connect to a Customer Portal, which allows users to see their current and historic energy usage and to control electrical devices over the Internet.

The UFO Power Center is available at Visible Energy’s online store for $100, and the software is available free from the App Store for Apple iOS products.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.