7 gadgets under $50 that will make your home more energy efficient

Reducing your household’s energy usage can help you save money on your power bill and reduce your impact on the planet. 

Looking for some easy ways to manage your home’s energy consumption? We’ve got you covered. 

In this blog post, we’ve rounded up seven affordable energy-saving gadgets that can help make your home more energy efficient.

1. Shower timer

A shower-timer might be the most low-tech gadget on this list, but it’s also the one that could potentially save you the most amount of power. 

There are a bunch of different options out there, including this handy four minute shower timer from Briscoes. Simply put it on your bathroom wall using the suction cap and start the timer when you hop in the shower; when the timer runs out, that’s your cue to switch off the water. 

Shorter showers can have a dramatic impact on your power bill. In fact, a family of four could save more than $1,000 a year by switching from 15 minute showers to four minutes showers! 

2. Outdoor solar lamp

Outdoor solar lamps are the perfect way to light up your outdoor spaces without worrying about your power bill. 

Solar lamps draw energy from the sun via small solar photovoltaic panels. The energy is stored in an internal battery, which automatically delivers power to the lamp at night. 

When it comes to ambient lighting, we’re fans of the Vectral Solar Light from Mitre 10, which comes with a nifty Edison bulb for that authentic vintage feel. 

3. Solar power bank

Solar power banks are a great addition to the backpack if you’re an avid camper or outdoor enthusiast. But they can also be used at home to charge your devices without relying on the grid - just leave the power bank on the deck or by the window and let the sun do its thing. 

It is important to keep in mind that charging a solar power bank via the sun is considerably slower than charging it through an outlet. Still, it’s free energy, and if you’re in the market for a power bank why not go for one that supports solar? 

4. Smart bulbs

Smart bulbs like the Kogan SmarterHome Smart Bulb give you an unprecedented level of control over your home’s lighting. Choose from millions of colours, save your favourite light schemes and set up a lighting schedule - all from the comfort of your smartphone. 

Smart bulbs are significantly more energy efficient than the old incandescent bulbs, but if you already have LED bulbs you probably won’t notice much in the way of energy savings. 

5. Fast-drying hanger

Sick of your clothes always feeling slightly damp in winter? The 2-in-1 Clothes & Shoes Dehumidifier could be just what the doctor ordered. 

This handy gizmo features reusable silica gel bags, which help keep your wardrobe dry by absorbing moisture from the air. Hang your jacket and shirt on it, or split the hanger in two and place each end in a pair of shoes. When the gel bags have reached maximum absorption, pop them in the microwave for a few minutes and they’ll be as good as new. 

6. Smart plugs

Smart plugs are the easiest and most affordable way to start making your home that little bit smarter. 

Smart plugs come equipped with built in Wi-Fi. Any wired device or appliance that you connect to your smart plug can be controlled remotely via your smartphone, which can help you save power in all sorts of ways. For instance, you could use smart plugs to automatically turn off the kids’ gaming devices at night, schedule your heater to turn on and off at specific times, or start and stop the slow cooker from work. 

Some smart plugs even come with an integrated power meter so you can see exactly how much power your devices are using. 

7. Power board

A quality power board is a must in this era of working from home. Not only will a good power board protect your devices and keep your power cords neatly organised, but it can also help you reduce the energy waste associated with standby power. 

There’s no shortage of power boards on the market. A good option is this one from Sansai, which features six outlets as well as four USB charging ports to keep all your devices juiced up. 

Save even more on power

Looking for even more ways to save on power? Sign up with Grey Power Electricity and enjoy competitive rates, awesome customer service and the freedom of no long-term contracts. 

Give us a call today on 0800 473 976 or fill out our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.