For many, one of the biggest challenges of the holiday season is trying to choose the right gift for family and friends, hence the age-old question: “What to get for the person who has everything?”
If you’re stuck, consider stepping outside the box and shopping for energy-saving gifts. At first glance, it might not seem the most sentimental, but you can impress your loved ones with your savvy and bet they’ll think of you as they’re saving money all year long. Even if your shopping list is finished, you might consider treating yourself and taking advantage of the season’s sales.
And just because it’s efficient doesn’t mean it has to be expensive — or boring.
New lightbulbs might seem about as exciting a gift as new shoelaces, but a quick internet search will change your mind. LED technology has revolutionized how we illuminate the world around us. Smart lightbulbs can shine a rainbow of hues and be controlled with a smartphone. They can even be used with products such as Amazon’s Alexa. Others mimic candlelight and flicker when disturbed. Other varieties look like antique Edison bulbs, but without the antique energy consumption. There’s not enough space in this column to list the innovations.
A high-end showerhead might not seem to be the most impressive holiday gift, but it could quickly become the luxury the recipient didn’t know they needed. You can add new comforts to their daily ritual, from foot-wide showerheads that mimic rainfall to handheld attachments of various sizes and finishes, offering a number of flow settings. Above all, modern showerheads can cut down water consumption by half, which means lower energy bills.
Know someone who’s just starting out on their own? Think about buying them small kitchen appliances to save time and money. Toaster ovens and air fryers require much less energy than a stovetop or oven and are a practical solution for small meals. Pressure cookers require a bit of a learning curve but also can translate into big savings and expand a person’s culinary horizons.
Young or old, every homeowner likes to keep their bills low. You can help them do that with a smart thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy says heating and cooling account for half of a household’s budget; a programmable thermostat can help rein in those costs by adjusting your house’s furnace or air-conditioning around your schedule. A smart thermostat takes it a step further. They can be programed by specific days, work with Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant, Samsung’s SmartThings and Apple’s Siri. Some thermostats even use a network of thermostats placed in various locations throughout the house for a truer reading of a home’s climate.
Need something for a younger person? Think about fun energy savers such as solar-powered charging-capable backpacks or LED night lights. Have a pet lover in your life? Think about buying them a better-sealing dog door.
After all that work, you deserve something for yourself. Even if your home appliances work well and are only a few years old, you might consider replacing them. Today’s washers and dryers use less electricity and water than those of even a decade ago. Top-mounted freezer refrigerators use less electricity than a 60-watt incandescent lightbulb. These appliances can get expensive quickly, but many retailers offer deep discounts that take some of the edge off. What’s more, making an upgrade will likely mean saving money on your utility bills throughout the year.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
