Energy-efficient home upgrades that pay for themselves over time
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07:36 2017-08-05

An energy-saving power switch

This energy-saving power switch draws zero energy when the switch is flipped off. Plus, it declutters the kitchen from the wandering cords of unplugged devices.

Belkin Conserve Energy Saving Power Switch, $9.95

An LED night light

Lunara is UL approved and rated to last 40,000 hours. So, according to Lunara, if you use the night light for 10 hours a day, it’ll last more than 10 years.LEDs are around 10x more energy-efficient than typical incandescent lights, so the company estimates the cost of the Lunara at $0.25 to operate.

Lunara LED Night Light with Smart Light Sensor, Pack of 2, $14.99

 

Bright, energy-efficient light bulbs

These Philips’ light bulbs are bright and energy-saving alternatives to traditional 100W incandescent bulbs that use more energy. The company estimates you’ll save $336 in energy costs. The bulb should last a little over nine years (based on three hours per day on).

Philips 433557 23W 100-watt T2 Twister 6500K CFL Light Bulb, Pack of 4, $9.94

A smart thermostat

Programmable thermostats can save up to $150 a year in energy costs when used properly.Plus, since most of us are busy and potentially beginners with this, Nest will display a leaf when you choose a temperature that saves energy.

Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation, $248.75

A low flow showerhead that will use 75% less water but still have great flow

Niagara’s Earth Showerhead saves money by using up to 75% less water than traditional “low-flow” showerheads typically found on the market. Though it promises drastic water usage reduction, it also utilizes patented pressure compensation technology so there’s always a consistent flow rate regardless of available water pressure.It’s also guaranteed for 10 years. According to government data, putting in low-flow fixtures like this can reduce your water consumption by at least 50% and save you about $145 every year.

Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow showerhead, from $8

A quick, steam-leveraging pressure cooker

Though the thermostat may be the biggest culprit of a high energy bill, appliances aren’t too far behind. This pressure cooker uses far less energy than many appliances by cooking food quickly and also by leveraging the pressure powers of steam to do so.

8 in 1 Electric Programmable Pressure Cooker & Steamer, $69.99

Solar-powered outdoor path lights

These solar-powered garden lights have extra-large solar panels that allow for up to 10 hours of nighttime lighting (on a full charge) and each path light had six super-bright LED lights for long-lasting, bright illumination. Since they’ll be outside, they’re also die-cast aluminum and powder-coated to withstand the elements.
Solar Garden Path Lights, Pack of 4, $99.95

A hair dryer that uses 75% less energy than normal

This hair dryer promises to dry hair in under 10 minutes and use 75% less energy. How? It’s manufactured with a patented brushless motor that uses an armature instead of a carbon brush. The brushless motor is what uses 75% less energy.

HairArt H3000 Luxe Air Hair Dryer, $109.02

Solar-powered patio lights

Like we said earlier, solar gear for the outdoors just makes sense. These hanging, waterproof lights are long-lasting with a 800mAh rechargeable battery that can work continuously for 8-10 hours once fully charged. If there isn’t enough sunshine, replace the rechargeable battery.

Bolansi 20 ft 30LED Crystal Ball Waterproof String Lights, from $11.81