This holiday season, why not give friends and family a gift that will save them money all year long? The Energy Education Council has gift suggestions that decrease energy use and increase savings:
- Energy Star Products – New electronics are popular holiday gifts. If you plan on buying a computer, television, or home theater components for a friend, do them a favor and buy an Energy Star product. Energy Star products use at least 20 percent less energy. They are tested for performance and features too, not just efficiency.
- Programmable Thermostats – The holiday season is also the home heating season. A programmable thermostat can help loved ones heat their home strategically and save money.
- Smart Power Strips – Your friends may need a new power strip for new electronics they received for the holidays. A smart power strip provides additional receptacles and increases efficiency. A control unit, such as a television or computer, is plugged into one outlet. The smart strip detects when the control unit is off and shuts off power to peripherals, like DVD players and printers. Electronics that are turned off sometimes still draw power. Electronics that draw power when not in use can add 10 percent to your final energy bill.
- Rechargeable Batteries – Many families have to hunt down batteries for new gadgets and toys during the holidays. Help your friends and family prepare with a rechargeable battery set.
- Efficient Light Bulbs – New light bulbs make good stocking stuffers. CFLs and LEDs are designed to last longer and use less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. You can buy bright, white light for working spaces and also warmer lights for the home. Be sure to buy Energy Star light bulbs to guarantee efficiency and quality.
- Gift Certificates – A gift certificate can help get your friends and loved ones on the path to efficiency. One idea is a gift certificate to for insulation and sealing updates. In most homes, heating and cooling is the largest part of the energy bill. An insulation upgrade is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve home efficiency.
- Renewable Gadgets and Toys – The popularity of renewable and alternative energy is growing. With new gadgets and toys you can experience new forms of energy in your home—including hand-crank flashlights and solar chargers. There are also a variety of toys powered by renewables, such as solar crickets and cars that use the power of the sun to move.
For more efficiency tips, visit EnergyEdCouncil.org.
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