Our world is pretty awesome. It’s the only place (that we know of) that can sustain us, and it’s filled with wonder. We could all do more to take care of it, like using energy-efficient technologies to limit our use of natural resources.
From turning off your light bulbs via voice assistant when you’re not in the room to automatically turning off your sprinkler, small changes can make a big difference in the long run.
It could be as small a change as using a reusable shopping bag when grocery shopping. Think about how much oil and energy it takes to make a disposable plastic bag and take it to the checkout.
Technologically, there are many products available that can help reduce your carbon footprint, while saving you money. From battery backups to whole-home thermostats that learn your routine, we’ve rounded up the best energy-saving technology available in 2022.
The best energy-saving technology for 2022
Energy-saving technology is easier on the planet, easier on you, and easier on your wallet. It’s a triple threat against climate change, and we’re here for it. Here are some of our favorite energy-saving tools and gadgets.
Eve systems
Apple users will love Eve Systems and their premium, HomeKit-connected, eco-friendly technology. I scatter it around my house to turn off my technology when I forget. I use the Energy Strip with its triple outlets to run my TV and other A/V gear when I’m not using it, and it’s Siri-enabled.
The best device for me is the Eve Aqua, which allows me to program my sprinkler system on and off, so my newly laid lawn doesn’t wilt.
Google Nest Thermostat
For years I have used a Nest Learning Thermostat which controls my central air conditioning system. I’ve always hated having to get up to change the thermostat dial, and now I can do it from my smartphone, or ask my voice assistant to change it. I also saved money because it knows when I leave the house so it adjusts the temperature to use less energy when I’m not home.
Yes, it is expensive to buy initially. That said, the Nest paid for itself within months, and that’s the first thing I’d suggest to reduce your power consumption.
Itehil IT500 500W LiFePo4 Portable Power Station with Solar Panels
There’s almost no reason to have a gas generator for emergencies these days, with battery banks and solar panels being more affordable than ever. Itehil Power Station gives you 500Wh of storage, with two 120V AC outlets to keep your most important tech running in the event of a power outage.
It’s also portable, so it’s perfect for camping trips when you want to unplug, but not completely. Pair one with solar panels so you never have to worry about finding a wall outlet.
Philips Hue LED bulbs
LED lighting is one of the most eco-friendly things you can add to your home. They last longer than traditional bulbs, so they stay out of the landfill. They are more energy efficient, therefore consume less energy.
You can even get ones like the Philips Hue range that are controlled wirelessly, allowing you to change the color and brightness, or even schedule their on/off times. The best part for me? You can ask your voice assistant to turn off the light bulbs if you forget before leaving the room.
Pale blue rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries are a way to significantly reduce your waste profile. Unlike traditional NiCad technology, lithium batteries do not suffer from memory effects or strangeness when at lower charge levels.
Pale Blue’s rechargeable lithium batteries go one step further by packing the charging circuit into the battery. All you need is a USB cable to charge, so no more lugging around bulky chargers. I have been using their batteries for about a year and am slowly replacing all my other rechargeable batteries because they are so good.
Sense Home Energy Monitor
Perhaps you prefer to know what consumes energy in your home, so that you can plan your own methods to reduce their consumption. Sense mounts in your circuit breaker box and over time learns which of your appliances and other electrical devices are working, well, whatever they are doing.
Mainly showing you how much energy everything is using, you can also keep track of what time they are using it. With an overall picture of your energy consumption, you can reduce your footprint and save money.
ChargePoint Home WiFi-Enabled Electric Vehicle Charger
Tesla has its own electric vehicle (EV) wall outlet, but what if you have a different brand of EV or everyone in the family has a different car? ChargePoint’s Home Flex is the answer, with a 16-50 amp wall charger that works with every EV. We like that. Everyone likes what they like, and what good is green tech if everyone can’t use it?
EcoFlow Delta Pro
Having a backup battery on hand for emergency use is great. The not-so-great part is that you usually have to recharge them from the wall, with energy that you have no control over generating. The Ecoflow Delta Pro gives you the option of recharging it from home installed solar panels, mobile solar panels or even a gas generator in the blink of an eye.
The larger ecosystem adds extra battery capacity, monitoring, and even the ability to hardwire it into your home to work as a backup if your neighborhood has a power outage. We really appreciate the ability to choose where your energy comes from and where it goes.
Okai Neon Scooter
Fossil fuel emissions are a huge source of pollution. For short trips, perhaps consider an electric scooter, like this sleek Neon. With a top speed of 16 mph and a range of 25 miles, it’s perfect for running errands.
We especially appreciate that Okai’s pedigree is tried and tested in the most rigorous way. How? They are the OEM for many rideshare scooter companies like Bird or Lime. If they can survive use on public transport, imagine how tough they will be for you.
LiveLarq Reusable Water Bottle
One of the best things you can do to reduce your energy footprint is to switch to a reusable water bottle. Larq’s PureVis is coated in stainless steel, so it will withstand being thrown around. The best part about it though is inside the cap. It’s a UV-C LED that sanitizes your water when you’re not drinking it, so you never have to worry about bacteria or other germs.
Whether you want to make your home an oasis of eco-friendly technology or you just hate turning off light bulbs, we hope you’ve seen something that could fit your lifestyle.
It can be monitoring your energy consumption to manually change your habits, or even automating your energy savings so that the algorithms save you money.
These picks are our favorites of the best power-saving technologies we’ve used to date. We’ll come back to them from time to time to make sure our choices still make sense, or add them as we see better options.
Our planet isn’t going away any time soon, but we could all do more to take care of it.
Do you have any thoughts on this? Let us know below in the comments or forward the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.
Editors recommendations:
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