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Four targeted purchases can help reduce household energy use: an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat, ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs, an advanced power strip, and a low-flow showerhead. The best starting point depends on where your home uses energy; savings are estimates, not guarantees, and depend on your equipment, habits, climate, utility rates, and installation.
Choose purchases based on your home’s biggest energy uses
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of the average American household’s annual energy bill, according to ENERGY STAR. That makes temperature control a sensible first place to look, but it is not automatically the right first purchase for every home. Lighting, electronics and water heating may offer more practical opportunities depending on what you already use and can change.
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Before buying, check product certification, fit with existing equipment, installation needs and eligibility for local rebates. ENERGY STAR provides a product finder and a rebate finder; rebate availability and qualifying models vary by location and program.
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1. ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can automate temperature changes when people are asleep or away, reducing heating or cooling when the home does not need as much. ENERGY STAR says its certified smart thermostats are independently certified using actual field data to deliver energy savings; that is a useful qualification when comparing connected thermostats, not a promise of a particular bill reduction. See ENERGY STAR’s thermostat guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
Check the HVAC system and wiring first
Thermostat compatibility depends on the heating and cooling equipment and its wiring. Check the manufacturer’s compatibility tool and installation instructions before purchasing. Some models require a C-wire (common wire) or a separate adapter; if the wiring is unclear or the system is unusual, ask a qualified installer rather than assuming the thermostat will work.
Automation only saves energy when the schedule or settings reduce equipment operation without prompting occupants to override it constantly. Compare the thermostat’s supported HVAC types, wiring requirements, ease of scheduling and installation cost, then verify that the model is currently ENERGY STAR certified and whether a local incentive applies.
Rank #2
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
2. ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs
Start with bulbs in fixtures that are used most often. ENERGY STAR estimates that replacing the five most-used fixtures or their bulbs can save about $40 a year in energy costs; this is a program estimate, not a guaranteed reduction for an individual home. ENERGY STAR also says its certified LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs and last longer. The estimates appear on its light bulb guidance, whose publication year is not shown.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsMatch the bulb to the fixture
- Check the base type and physical size so the bulb fits the socket and shade.
- Choose brightness in lumens rather than assuming wattage is a direct measure of light output.
- Select a color temperature that suits the room, and confirm dimmability if the bulb will be used with a dimmer.
- Check whether the bulb is suitable for enclosed or other special fixtures, where applicable.
The actual savings depend on which bulbs are replaced, how long they are used, local electricity prices and the bulbs’ efficiency. Replacing a seldom-used bulb will usually have less impact than replacing one in a fixture that is on for many hours.
Rank #3
- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
- Compatible with 85% of systems, check your system’s compatibility with our online ecobee Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page
- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
3. Advanced power strip
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends advanced power strips as a way to stop electronics from drawing power when not in use. A strip can also make it easier to switch off a group of compatible computer equipment and peripherals together. See the DOE home-office energy guidance.
This purchase makes the most sense where several devices are grouped and can safely power down at the same time. Check what will be plugged into the strip and follow the device makers’ instructions. Do not connect equipment that needs continuous power or should not be shut off, and do not assume every electronic device has substantial standby use. The benefit depends on the devices, their idle behavior and whether the strip is actually used to cut power.
Rank #4
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Do it yourself fast with a built-in level and simple step-by-step instructions. Works with the HVAC equipment found in most homes
- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY: ENERGY STAR-certified and packed with features that help you save money, including flexible scheduling, geofencing, remote access and usage reports
- PRIVACY PROTECTION: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties or leverage your thermostat activity data for targeting or advertising purposes
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS devices makes it easy to control your comfort from a smartphone or tablet
4. Low-flow showerhead
A lower-flow showerhead can reduce the amount of hot water used, which can also reduce the energy needed to heat water. ENERGY STAR’s guidance discusses a 2.5-gallon-per-minute showerhead and compares a ten-minute shower with a typical bath; any potential dollar savings depend on the household and its water and energy costs. See ENERGY STAR’s water-heater guidance.
Check the current showerhead’s flow rate and compare it with the replacement, while considering comfort and household preferences. The energy effect depends on shower length and frequency, the water-heating fuel, local utility rates and how much flow the old fixture used. A lower-flow fixture can reduce hot-water demand, but it cannot guarantee a specific bill saving.
Which purchase should you make first?
| Purchase | Energy use it targets | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR smart thermostat | Heating and cooling | ENERGY STAR certification, HVAC compatibility, wiring or C-wire/adapter needs, installation and local rebates |
| ENERGY STAR LED bulbs | Lighting | Certification, base, brightness, color temperature, dimmer and fixture compatibility |
| Advanced power strip | Idle use from grouped electronics | Which connected devices can safely power down together and whether the strip will be used |
| Low-flow showerhead | Hot water and the energy used to heat it | Current and replacement flow rates, shower comfort, water-heating fuel and household use |
For a home with high heating or cooling use, start by checking thermostat compatibility. If the thermostat is already well managed, frequently used lighting may be a straightforward target. Consider a power strip when suitable electronics are commonly left on together, or a showerhead when hot-water use is a meaningful part of household demand. These are prioritization cues, not a ranking of guaranteed payback: the sources do not establish universal savings or payback periods for a specific home.
Quick Recap
Check the claims and incentives before checkout
- Confirm certification in the relevant product directory rather than relying on a generic efficiency claim.
- Compare product fit and installation requirements with your home before purchase.
- Use ENERGY STAR’s rebate finder and verify terms with the local program; eligibility can depend on location, model and current program rules.
- Estimate likely benefit from your own usage: savings are larger when a purchase changes a substantial, repeated energy use.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
