Top gift ideas for the energy saver in your life
Another pair of socks? Not this year! When it comes to picking out just the right gifts, Efficiency Vermont’s got you covered with the best and brightest in clever, energy-saving gadgets. Deliver comfort and convenience to every person on your holiday list, while spreading the joy that can only come from gifting greener.
Energy Savings Kits from Efficiency Vermont. For the gift that keeps on giving, consider our Energy Savings Kit. These come with an assortment of LED bulbs (including a bonus smart bulb while supplies last), a low-flow showerhead, and kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators. Order an Energy Savings kit now.
Price: Free (restrictions apply).
Smart Outlets. Turn almost anything with a plug into a smart device. Smart outlets let you control small appliances and electronics without needing to be within arm’s reach – or even at home. Turn lighting and devices on and off right through your phone. Relatively affordable, these make great stocking stuffers for the “smart home-curious” on your list. We like the Geeni Current Smart Outlet with its handy, universal app.
Price range: $20-$135
Electric Lawn Mowers. Battery-operated electric mowers are quiet, convenient, and are greener than gas-powered models. And in Vermont, Green Mountain Power, Washington Electric Coop, and Burlington Electric Department all have rebates to help offset the upfront cost of a new electric mower in 2022. Check out the Pulse Battery-Powered Mower by Vermont’s own DR Power Equipment.
Price range: $200 and up.
Electric Bicycles. As practical as they are fun to ride, electric bikes can take you farther and faster. Perfect for errands around town or a joy ride on the local bike path. In Vermont, Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric Department have rebates to help offset the upfront costs of e-bike purchases as well as conversion kit purchases, which start around $75. We’re fans of Rad Power Bikes’ RadRover 6 Plus with its fat tires suited for trail, path, and street. Find them online or at your local bike/sporting shop.
Price range: $200 - $1,500+
Smart Thermostat. What could make you merrier than a purchase that helps pay for itself? Smart thermostats learn from your usage, then self-program accordingly, saving you energy. Efficiency Vermont offers money-saving rebates of up to $100 on a large selection of smart thermostats from Nest, ecobee, Honeywell, and others.
Price range: $100-$250.
Smart Light Strips. Nothing creates ambiance like twinkling lights. While they brighten the holidays, they’re fun to use year-round, too. But are you still using incandescent string lights? It’s time to switch to longer-lasting LEDs. When paired with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, you can easily customize and program them, right from your phone. We like Geeni Prisma Strip kits. They’re a great value and use the same app as our preferred smart outlet.
Price range: $25-$100.
Air Purifiers. Good indoor air quality is an essential part of a healthy home. Air purifiers refresh stale air and can reduce the chance of health issues caused by indoor pollutants – even airborne germs and viruses. Today’s purifiers come in a range of colors, sizes, filter types, and features, making them a good fit for any home. We think Honeywell Home model HFD280B is a great choice. Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR.
Price range: $65 - $2,500.
Woodstove Fans. Maximize the warmth your woodstove provides by moving heat through the room with one of these clever aluminum fans. Small and whisper-quiet, they can help to warm the room faster. Generating their own electricity from the heat of your stovetop, they require no other external power to operate. Our favorite is the Canadian-made Ecofan UltrAir.
Price range: $30-$150.
Happy holidays from Efficiency Vermont! Find more energy-efficient products at the Efficiency Vermont Marketplace.
