6 Energy-Saving Holiday Gift Ideas
Who is on your holiday shopping list this year? Do you want to gift them items that will help them throughout the year? Choosing gifts that help them use less energy while delivering comfort, convenience, and some of the latest cool gadgets is a no-brainer. Here are our picks for energy-saving gifts this holiday season.
Electronic streaming devices
Streaming sticks can do way more than cue up your favorite movie. They can also stream live TV using 30-75% less energy than traditional set-top boxes. In addition, many cable and satellite providers have introduced apps so customers can stream via these devices and give up their set-top boxes—and associated monthly rental fees—altogether. Even better? If your gift recipients decide to change their cable or satellite plan, they’ll still have the streaming device to use with their new service.
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs turn almost anything with a plug into a smart device. Smart plugs let you control various small appliances and devices without needing to be in arm’s reach or even be at home. In addition, their price starts low, making a great stocking stuffer for the “smart home curious” person on your list.
Solar Backpack
No, it doesn’t double as a jetpack, but for any techie, it’s the perfect gift.
With solar panels on the front of the backpack, there is no need to pack a spare battery pack. One hour of sun will provide about three hours of talk time for a typical cell phone, and four-five hours of sun will provide a full charge. An even greater delight to those environmental lovers, the fabric of the bag is made from recycled PET (soda bottles), which is waterproof, lightweight, and UV resistant. The solar panels are also waterproof, lightweight, and built to withstand abuse.
Blankets and Sweaters
For a more traditional gift, you could purchase a warm blanket or a thick sweater so your gift recipients can lower the temperature on their thermostat by a few degrees, decreasing the amount of heat they need to stay snug and comfortable at home.
Low-Flow Showerheads
To go hand-in-hand with the shampoos and shower gels, they will be unwrapping; you could gift your friends a low-flow showerhead with a shut-off valve. That means that they’ll be saving water and the energy needed to heat it during every shower. You also could get them faucet aerators for all their sinks. Although an aerator may not seem like the flashiest device, it can decrease water consumption by 50 percent and the energy used to heat that water.
Smart speakers
Recent research shows that smart speakers are energy efficient, but make sure that you use them for optimal energy use! For example, recent testing by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that some newer TVs that allow users to turn on and control their TV through their smart speaker experience a spike in standby power when the speaker is connected, in some cases doubling annual TV energy use.
