7 Energy-Efficient Gift Ideas For The Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means that energy is at an all-year high for everyone. Whether through our Christmas spirit or our electric bills, we will need so much power to get us through the season.

One great way to give love this Christmas is to give the gift of energy efficiency. In this age of advanced tech coupled with rising power costs, there is no greater value than the ability to make the most out of our available energy resources. It will allow you to enjoy everything that this season brings while minimizing the strain on our wallets.

So this yuletide season, give your loved ones the ability to save energy and money for the new year and the next ones to come. Here are some gift ideas you can add to your shopping list.

1. Energy-Efficient Appliances

Does someone in your life need an appliance replacement? Now’s the chance to update to a more energy-efficient option, since a lot of the latest appliances available these days have advanced energy-saving features. 

For instance, heavy appliances such as refrigerators and air-conditioners have inverter options. Inverter technology allows these appliances to regulate their compressors so that they don’t have to work as hard once the desired temperature is reached.

Because of this feature, these appliances can save users a lot of money in the long run while also being very durable.

2. Solar-Powered Devices

Solar energy is becoming more mainstream these days and this technology isn’t just reserved for solar panels that can be installed at home. Many everyday gadgets are now also powered by solar energy.

One of the most common are solar-powered lights that are usually installed outdoors, where they are easily reached by sunlight. There are even Christmas lights that can be charged via solar power all day and then used to brighten up your home all night without affecting your monthly electric bills.

3. Smart Plugs Or Lights

Your loved ones can also save energy indoors with the gift of smart energy-saving technology. Smart plugs, for instance, are very effective in conserving energy. Just link your devices to it via the internet and you can schedule times when they would automatically turn on or off.

With smart plug technology, you can even turn off your devices remotely through your smartphone. Smart lights also carry this feature, along with a timer-based on-and-off function. Some smart lights also turn off automatically when natural light is detected and turn on automatically when it’s dark.

Smart functionality at home is a great modern convenience to have, designed to improve overall energy efficiency. It is also a great practical gift to give your friends and family. 

4. Powerbanks

Most people own and use several devices at the same time. Portable chargers are a great way to simplify charging all your gadgets.

Powerbanks that can charge multiple devices are especially useful for the people in your life who are always busy with their devices. Charging them at the same time instead of taking turns plugging individual chargers into your sockets is a great convenience to have.

5. Rechargeable Batteries

Why throw away batteries and add non-biodegradable waste to the environment only to buy new ones, when you can recycle instead? Rechargeable batteries are a great gift for the environmentally conscious. They’re also convenient since you don’t have to regularly buy new batteries and store them. 

6. Bicycles

For those always on the go and are comfortable with an active lifestyle, bicycles are a great gift. Owning a bicycle can encourage them to move around without consuming gas and electricity, thereby saving money on transportation while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

Instead of consuming gas and electricity, why not just use energy in ways that can keep you healthy and more energized? Now that’s sustainability!

7. Books

Let’s face it – gadgets such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and TVs are some of our most used gadgets. By using them almost all day and constantly needing to charge them, they consume so much electricity.

We use up so much energy just to entertain ourselves. What if the best energy-saving gift we can give our friends and family is a reason to put their gadgets down?

How about gifting them a good book that can spark a new interest in them? It could be about a subject matter you already know they’re interested in. It could be a novel series that can get them hooked, and then hopefully unhook them from their energy-consuming devices.

Reading is a great, tried-and-tested way to be entertained without consuming excess amounts of energy. Sometimes all the power we need is already in our minds.