Save energy, save money – the Alliance to Save Energy’s energy efficiency holiday gift guide
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It always happens this time of year, especially in Alabama. You haven’t used much natural gas or electricity for the past couple of months because of the moderate Fall temperatures. Then, once winter slowly starts creeping in, temps drop, you crank up the furnace or heat and then in December your gas and/or electric bills spike upward.
Well, the folks at the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) want to help you reduce your sticker shock, save some money and become more energy efficient.
Check out the ASE’s 2016 Energy Efficiency Holiday Gift Guide below:
There is some pretty cool energy efficiency “gear” and of course ways to save money and energy.
On the local level, if have trouble trying to figure out what you need to focus on energy efficiency-wise, visit Alabama Power’s In-Home Energy checkup page or check out Birmingham-based Eco-Three.
Alliance to Save Energy’s Energy Efficiency Holiday Gift Guide
The Nest
The Nest ($199) is one of our favorite new energy efficiency products. This “learning” thermostat automatically adapts to seasonal changes and household routines.
The Nest is one of the most popular energy savers on the market – and it now comes with a new rebates program to make it even more affordable this holiday season. What are you waiting for? (retailers in Alabama that sell The Nest)
Dynaco Wireless Bluetooth Speaker & LED Lamp
The Dynaco Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and Touch Lamp is as versatile as it seems: it features three levels of light, controlled by the touch of your finger, and connects with any Bluetooth device, such as your cellphone, tablet or music player.
Perfect to listen to music and make calls with its hands free speaker feature. To charge it, just use the USB cable that comes with it.
LED Light Stocking Stuffers
These products are great if you’re looking for some smaller gifts that won’t break the bank – and they’re a great way to make the switch to LED lighting. This LED USB lamp plugs into your laptop so you can use it on the train or airplane without bothering other passengers – perfect for the frequent traveler in your family!
And if you’re looking for something for younger children, this cute LED animal night light is sure to brighten up any child’s bedroom.
“Intuity” Home Automation System
The holidays are a perfect time to transform your household into a “smart home” of the future – and with Legrand’s new line of home automation products you can be sure to please any sci-fi lovers in your family.
Intuity products are paving the way for smart home technology systems with an easy-to-use app interface offering whole-house control of a home’s entertainment, security, comfort and convenience. Use your phone to turn appliances on or off while on the go – and save a ton of energy while doing so. Learn more about the Intuity App and how to install Intuity products here.
The Energy Orb
Invented by a power station manager to help customers visualize the price of electricity, the Energy Orb provides real-time data about energy usage across the grid. The frosted glass communicates changes in electricity pricing and demand by glowing a varying degree of colors – green when demand and pricing is low, and red when demand and pricing is high – which allow customers to adjust their energy consumption accordingly. The simple device makes a big difference – users reported a 40% reduction in energy use for their homes.
Panasonic LED Smart HDTV
With plenty of sales, the holidays can be a great time to pick up a new TV, especially if it combines the best of both worlds: high definition image and sound, and energy savings. This Panasonic TV is Energy Star certified, so no need to worry about the energy bill – it will make the most with less energy. You can gather your friends to watch a movie on Netflix, stream YouTube videos during a dinner party, or just listen to music on Pandora and other apps. This TV is a good fit for all styles.
