When shopping for home appliances, it’s a smart idea to watch for the Energy Star label, which is an official designation for electrical appliances that have low energy requirements and can help you save money while reducing the electrical burden on your home (lower risk of flipped breakers, etc.).
But Energy Star ratings also apply to smart home devices like plugs and thermostats. Given how much extra energy smart devices can tap, those ratings are important for managing electricity use around your home — and Earth Day is the perfect time to think about upgrading them.
“Heating and cooling your home is likely your largest energy expense,” said Energy Trust of Oregon when I asked about key savings spots. “Using a smart thermostat to save a little energy every day can really add up. That’s especially true if paired with other energy-saving changes like making sure your home is properly insulated, sealing any gaps or cracks around doors, windows and ducts, or switching to an energy-efficient heat pump.”
If you’re looking for energy-saving options like these, here are the best brands and devices with Energy Star certification.
Smart thermostats
While smart thermostats tend to have LED displays and touchscreens, they’re designed to use little power and often turn off when no one is active nearby, saving energy. Models with Energy Star certification include Nest thermostats, Sensi models, some Ecobee thermostats, and thermostats from Honeywell Home.
Because thermostats tie into heating and cooling, they not only save electricity in their own right but can also save a whole lot of energy for the rest of your home, too. That makes them an excellent place to start cutting down on energy use.
Light Fixtures
Light fixtures refer to lights that are wired into a home, instead of light bulbs that you replace. Smart home brands make several smart fixtures like these with Energy Star ratings, including models from our top picks like Philips, Wiz and many more. Take a look at this Philips recessed light kit to learn more, like how you can control it and change colors with an app.
Light strings
Light strings are typically more decorative than fixtures, with smart features that allow them to change between many different color schemes. We have several examples from brands like Philips, Nanoleaf and Govee. You can find Energy Star string lights in most holiday sections or stores, just look for that blue star logo when you buy.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are a godsend for wetter climates, but they can use up large amounts of electricity, especially when they have to work for hours at a time. Energy Star models will help keep running costs low, while smart picks from Homelabs, Frigidaire, Carrier, Honeywell Home and more can be controlled with apps or even connected to your smart thermostat for automation.
Air conditioners
You can check out smaller air conditioners on our list of the best portable air conditioners and our top picks for window AC units. When the days get hot, devices like these can use immense amounts of electricity working to keep things cool.
Look for models with smart features, like the ability to control remotely via app and voice assistants, and Energy Star ratings. Even better, look for models certified “most efficient” from brands like Midea, LG, Hisense, Gradient and others.
Smart TVs
Today’s smart TVs can serve as home hubs and even give you live views through your security cameras on demand. But they can also use a lot of power, especially if left on for long periods of time, along with other entertainment equipment. A smart plug can help with power control, but a work-free start is to look for TVs that have Energy Star ratings. Brands like LG and Samsung are great places to begin your search.
Water heaters
Water heaters can be surprisingly smart, too, with tools like Aquanta’s controller and similar equipment that monitor and automatically optimize water heating, much like smart thermostats do for temperature. You can enhance the savings even more by choosing an Energy Star model from brands like American Standard, ACIQ, Friedrich and Rheem. Or you can really lean into savings by switching to a tankless or solar water heater.
Energy monitoring devices
Energy Star also incorporates broad systems called SHEMS or Smart Home Energy Management Systems, which use technology to unite many Energy Star devices (thermostats, lighting, smart meters, monitor add-ons, security systems, etc.) and put them all under one automated energy use plan to save electricity.
Technically, SHEMS are turnkey systems you’d discuss with an authorized smart home installer. However, you can make your own version with an Emporia Energy Monitoring device and associated Emporia smart plugs, or look up smart meter options with your local utility.
EV chargers
Finally, if you have a home EV charger or are interested in installing one, note that these garage devices can also have Energy Star ratings. EV chargers from brands (AC and DC) like Schumacher, Pando Electric, ChargePoint, Legrand, Tesla, EvoCharge and many others can qualify to help you save even more.
For more smart money management, review how smart thermostats can save you energy, how to use a smart home to save on electricity bills and how home security can give you discounts every month.
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