Let’s talk about some things you can purchase that will save you money in the long run.
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors can save you money in several ways. All your electronics including computers, printers, routers, chargers, TV’s, gaming systems, appliances and other devices should be plugged into a high-quality surge protector. In the event of a power surge or power outage a surge protector will protect the devices that are connected to it.
You can also save on your electric bill by using a surge protector. Every device that is plugged in, whether it is turned on or not is using power. This is often referred to as “vampire power” some devices use more vampire power than others. Disconnecting unused devices will save money on electricity.
When buying a surge protector there are a few things you want to look for.
You can buy a wall mount surge protector or one that has a cord. Pick the type that is right for your situation.
Some surge protectors are designed to not only protect electrical lines but also phone and fax lines, ethernet cables and coax cables.
Be sure to purchase a transient voltage surge suppressor. It should be certified by Underwriter’s Laboratories, and at least meets their UL 1449 standards.
The energy absorption rating indicates how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. Higher ratings are best.
The clamping voltage determines how quickly the surge protector reacts. Look for one 400 V or less. Lower ratings are better.
Look for one with widely spaced outlets so that there is plenty of room to plug in larger power cables. Some come with outlets that can be turned and swiveled. Also decide on the number of ports you will need. Some come with 6 or 8 ports, but others come with 12 or more.
When shopping for a surge protector be sure that is what you are buying. Surge protectors and power strips are two different things. Not every power strip is a surge protector. Check the package details to be sure the label says “surge protector”
Check the warranty and what it covers. The warranty covers the devices that are connected to the surge protector. If the surge protector fails to protect the devises that are connected you will be covered for the loss up to a certain amount.
Power Adapters for Outlets
Using power adapters for outlets lets you push a button to turn off the power to any connected device. These are useful when you don’t need a surge protector, but you want to turn off the power without unplugging anything.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can be used to create a heating and cooling schedule for your home. They can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature based on a schedule you setup.
They can be setup to know when the home is occupied and unoccupied. Some come with advanced features such as remote monitoring where you can use an app on your tablet or smartphone to control them.
Outdoor Solar Lighting
Save on electricity costs by using solar powered outdoor lighting. These charge during the day and turn on in the evening. They can be used to light sidewalks, gardens, deck and pool areas and other places outside your home. They are weather resistant and very low maintenance.
Motion Sensor Light Switches
Why light a room when it is unoccupied? Sometimes we forget to turn off the lights when we leave a room which can lead to a higher electric bill. Motion sensor light switches will turn on automatically when you enter a room and turn off automatically when you leave. These will save you money and enhance your safety as you will not be walking into a dark room.
There are also programmable switches that can be setup to turn lights on and off on a schedule.
Smart Light Bulbs
Get rid of old, outdated light bulbs and replace them with smart bulbs. These consume much less power, and some can even be controlled through an app on your smartphone. You can use the app to turn lights on and off even when you are not at home. You can also setup a schedule for them to be turned on and off automatically.
Water Saving & Smart Shower Heads
These can range from reasonable to very expensive, but they all reduce water consumption. There are many options available. A low-flow shower head is designed to use less water than a traditional shower head. These not only save on your water bill but also on electricity costs for heating the water.
Smart shower heads connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. They can be controlled through an app on your smartphone. Features can include built in speakers, water temperature notifications, water flow adjustments and more. Both types save money and are also environmentally friendly.
Over the Air Antenna and Streaming Devices
Cable TV and streaming services are very expensive and can add up to thousands of dollars a year. Instead, invest in an OTA antenna and a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Firestick. I use all of these and pay nothing for TV. I cancelled my cable and paid streaming services a year ago and wish I had done it sooner. With an OTA antenna you can watch local channels for free. And there are tons of free streaming apps to choose from.
Battery Charger
Batteries are expensive and most homes use a lot of them. Instead of buying new batteries for your devices invest in a battery charger and just recharge the batteries you already have.
Save on your Food Bill
Food costs more now than ever and we want to extend the life of produce and other food items for as long as possible.
Use produce bags, mats and freshness saver balls to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer.
Use airtight storage containers to keep other food sealed and fresh.
Water Filter
Buying bottled water can really add up. Many people do not drink their tap water because of how it tastes. Investing in a water filter can improve the taste and quality of tap water so while you might spend a bit of money purchasing a filter it will pay for itself very quickly.
Kilowatt Electricity Usage Monitor
These are used to monitor the consumption by Kilowatt-hours of whatever device you plug into them. They measure the amount of electricity a particular device uses. They can help you determine which devices are using the most power. You can then choose to adjust the device to save power such as lowering the temperature on your hot water heater, refrigerator, or freezer. You can also unplug devices when they are not being used. Of course, some appliances cannot be unplugged but other things in your home can be plugged in only when they are being used. For example, I plug my TV’s, radio, printers and some other things into a surge protector and turn the surge protectors power button off when I am not using them.
The Tech Minimalist 