We talk a lot about saving energy, and for good reason: It’s beneficial for the planet and it can help you save money on utility bills. Each of us can make a great impact on protecting our environment with just a few simple decisions, specifically when it comes to our energy consumption and product choices. From minor lifestyle adjustments to more comprehensive home improvements, there are many different ways to reduce your household’s energy usage. One of the easiest ways to save energy is to use smart, energy saving products. We’ve outlined below the must have energy saving products for homes.

Smart/Programmable Thermostat

These user-friendly devices essentially learn your cooling and heating preferences, track your schedule, and automatically control your home’s heating and cooling. For the Average American household, almost half the energy bill goes to heating and cooling (more than $900) per year, according to the EPA. Programmable (or smart) thermostats can save households up to $180 per year.

Energy-Efficient LED Light Bulbs

Upgrading the lighting in your home to LED lighting is by far one of the simplest ways to make your home more energy-efficient. According to Energy Star, LED light bulbs are 90% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs also tend to last longer, have a better quality of light distribution, and contain no toxic elements.

Smart Power Strips

Many electronic products continue to draw power from the wall even when they are powered off. Instead of having to unplug all of your appliances and electronics around your home each night and before you leave home every morning, use smart power strips to help prevent energy vampires from using unnecessary electricity with just the flip of a switch. Smart power strips are available from most electronics retailers, but it’s also a good idea to check with your local utility regarding discounts and rebates.

Energy Star Appliances

If you’re in the market for a new microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, or any other household appliance, be sure to opt for Energy Star Certified products. These appliances offer significant savings, often saving you enough money to pay for the appliance itself in just a few months. In fact, according to Energy Star, they’ve helped Americans save 400 billion kWh of electricity with associated emissions reductions of 320 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions short tons of sulfur dioxide, 220,000 short tons of nitrogen oxides, and 23,000 short tons of fine particulate matter.

Low Flow Faucets and Showerhead

Faucets and appliances can both use a lot of hot water, which can certainly contribute to your utility costs. One way to use less hot water is to install a low flow showerhead (or faucet). For maximum water efficiency, select a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm. Niagara’s Earth Showerhead is a great option. It saves money by using up to 75% less water than traditional “low flow” showerheads typically found on the market and is guaranteed for 10 years.

Saving energy at home is quintessential to helping improve the state and future of our planet. These great energy saving products are a simple way for you and your family to reduce your household consumption.

Some other energy saving products for homes include:

At Kiwi Energy, we seek to acknowledge and encourage our customers to make the right environmental choices and reward them for these decisions. Through our Ecogold Loyalty program, we’re able to offer our customers energy saving products and services such as light bulbs and discounted home filter subscriptions. The program also offers Ecogold Rewards when choosing solar, as well as discounts and savings from our participating brands. Login to your Ecogold Account to use your rewards towards any of the available energy saving products and make your home even more energy efficient! For more tips, check out our energy saving tips guide.