Eight easy upgrades that can shave thousands off your utility bill
Lighting SensorRemember motion-based light switches? The idea seemed great. That is, until your schnauzer trotted through the house and turned on the lights in every room, defeating the whole purpose. The solution is the Leviton IPP15, which is turned on manually yet "sees" if you are still in the room. If you're not, it will shut off the light. leviton.com
Low-Flow ShowerheadWe all do it. We turn on the shower, and while we wait for the water to warm up, we wander off for coffee. By the time we return, we've squandered a lot of water...and heating fuel. The Evolve showerhead saves $230 a year--and nearly 8,000 gallons of water--by slowing the flow to a trickle once the water is hot. Flick a knob to bring back the thunder. evolveshowerheads.com
Refrigerator
Your fridge is the single most power-hungry appliance in your home. When upgrading, consider an Energy Star rating as the bare minimum; Miele's new KF 1811 goes way beyond, exceeding the federal standard for efficiency by an impressive 33 percent. miele.com
Very High-Efficiency Furnace
Trane's XV95 converts an astounding 96.7 percent of its natural-gas fuel into heat, making it one of the most efficient home furnaces of its kind. It will save you up to 40 percent on your home heating bill. trane.com
Tankless Water Heater
Hot-water tanks burn gas even while you sleep, but the Bosch AquaStar 2700ES heats agua only when you need it, potentially halving your utility costs. A busy household can overwhelm some on-demand units, but the Bosch typically allows you to run a shower, dishwasher, and washing machine simultaneously without losing steam. boschhotwater.com
Solar Hot-Water System
While solar electric panels get a lot of play these days, prices remain sky-high. A solar hot-water system from Heliodyne can knock off as much as $720 from your annual gas bill, and with federal and state rebates, the rooftop setup can pay for itself within five years. heliodyne.com
Energy MonitorConsumer behavior research shows that when we know how much juice we're using, we tend to use less of it. The PowerCost Monitor clips onto your electrical meter and broadcasts your consumption data, in kilowatts and dollars, to a base-station display. Potential savings? Up to 20 percent.
bluelineinnovations.com
Programmable ThermostatAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household spends about $2,000 annually on energy bills. Half of that goes toward heating and cooling, and a simple switch to a programmable thermostat translates to an annual savings of 10 percent. The Carrier Edge is an ultraslim design available in stainless steel and six other finishes.
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