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Want to Stay Warm This Winter Without Burning a Hole in Your Pocket? Check out These 5 Devices

Lucy Joss from the Insights team at Energy Saving Trust shares a list of smart energy-saving products worth buying for your home.

BY KRITIKA BHATIA

PUBLISHED JAN 7, 2024

People are moving towards energy saving devices and equipments | Pexels

Uncover the 5 best energy-saving devices for 2023 and boost long-term savings

Here are few options of energy-saving devices that you can install this year that are not only environment-friendly but also light on wallet|Pexels — Energy-saving devices that you can install this year (representational image) | Pexels

Electricity and gas bills are touching the skies and middle-class families are looking for simple ways to keep the bills as low as possible. But the question is do smart devices and energy-saving gadgets actually help with cutting down the bills and saving energy? Many products are labeled as "energy-saving" devices now, but do they really work? Which ones should you buy? Lucy Joss from the Insights team at Energy Saving Trust shares a list of smart energy-saving products worth buying for your home and some tips on saving money on your electric bills.

1. Energy monitors or smart meters

A British Gas smart energy meter displaying the current energy usage of gas and electricity in a home on November 21, 2022 in Newcastle Under Lyme, England.|Getty Images|Photo by Nathan Stirk — A British Gas smart energy meter displaying the current energy usage of gas and electricity in a home |Getty Images|Photo by Nathan Stirk

People have realized the importance of energy and have now moved towards energy monitors or smart meters. These are called smart because they help you see how much energy you generally use and also the ways in which you use it. Smart meters help generate accurate energy consumption readings so that you don't panic at the end of the month or quarter. Leveraging smart meters also enables you to take benefit of various schemes and save up on bills. These meters have display modes and inform you about various factors like watt, time, cost, price, voltage, frequency, power factor, current, cumulative electrical quantity, and minimum as well as maximum power.

2. Smart heating thermostat

Close-up of hand of a man reviewing heating history on a Nest Learning Thermostat, an Internet of Things device from Google Inc, in a smart home in San Ramon, California, December 17, 2019.|Getty Images|Photo by Smith Collection — Close-up of hand of a man reviewing heating history on a Nest Learning Thermostat | Getty Images | Photo by Smith Collection

A radiator thermostat and a central heating system are needed to survive long cold winters, but thermostats account for 60% of the bills. With this efficient device, you can set your heating or change temperature automatically and even through your phone or laptop. It gauges the kind of temperature you prefer when you're at home and adjusts accordingly. When you're away, it lowers the temperature and only uses the energy necessary which will lower your bills and you will be able to enjoy warm nights.

3. Infrared heating panel

A ceiling mounted infrared panel is seen in one of the research and testing homes built inside the Energy House 2 research facility at Salford University on January 24, 2023 in Salford, England. The Energy House 2 research and testing laboratory consists of two environmental chambers that subject two life-size temperatures between -20˚C to +40˚C and simulated wind, rain, snow, and solar light. The project enables access and testing to further the development of energy saving products and the improvement of future homes.|Getty Images|Photo by Christopher Furlong — A ceiling mounted infrared panel is seen in one of the research and testing homes built inside the Energy House 2 research facility at Salford University | Getty Images | Photo by Christopher Furlong

Generally, people like to have a comfy temperature in the central and lower parts of the room. An infrared panel is not a central heater but it spreads warmth and heats up objects and surfaces such as furniture and floors. An infrared heating panel is a fantastic addition if you are looking to slash your energy bills. The smart equipment is designed in such a way that it increases the overall room temperature making your space cozy at an affordable price without wasting excessive energy.

4. Energy saving light bulbs

A Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL) is seen illuminated June 4, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The energy efficient bulbs consume up to 75% less energy than a standard bulb and last approximately ten times longer. World Environment Day is marked on June 5 every year, and is the United Nations flagship environmental event, celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world. The event was first established in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly, with the purpose being to concentrate global attention on the importance of the environment and to encourage political attention and action. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are causing the planet to increase in temperature. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the planetary atmosphere are higher now than at any time for the past 600,000 years, and the rate of increase is accelerating.|Getty Images|Photo by Cameron Spencer — A Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL) is seen illuminated June 4, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. | Getty Images | Photo by Cameron Spencer

Nowadays, due to the increased awareness of energy saving and reducing the harmful gases that harm the planet, people are shifting towards sustainable options. Although they may sound cliched, but energy-saving light bulbs or LED bulbs are not only easy to use but are also affordable and can save an enormous amount of energy and costs. If consumers just change all the bulbs in a household to LED lights, they can save about $76.02 a year on bills and cut down carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50kg a year.

5. Smart radiator thermostat

A photo illustration of a hand adjusting a Google Nest smart thermostat to adjust the temperature in the living room on October 12,2021 in Kampen, Overijssel, The Netherlands . Energy prices are rising fast over Europe causing financial problems for businesses and households.|Getty Images|Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal — A photo illustration of a hand adjusting a Google Nest smart thermostat to adjust the temperature in the living room | Getty Images | Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal

Looking to control all your home radiators through one app? Then this is a must-have appliance for your home this year. Smart radiator thermostat shows how much energy you have consumed and helps you check your house temperature so that you can use it accordingly. You can also turn it off if your house is too warm by just taking a glance at it. This will enable you to consume just the amount of energy you need and hence, save a hefty amount on your energy bills.