Energy savings can be a heartwarming gift

December 09, 2007

Like most everyone else, I'm working on my holiday shopping. I like to give gifts that have some lasting value. Can you offer some ideas for energy-saving gifts?

Gifts that continue to give are popular with many people, and in the energy world there are many possibilities.

If money isn't an object, you might consider replacing the gas guzzler in the garage with a new hybrid car or SUV. You'll find prices for the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Malibu starting around $22,000. And the Ford Escape hybrid starts at about $27,000 while the larger Toyota Highlander starts at about $34,000.

If you're looking for something with a more practical price tag, a quick trip through stores that sell kitchen, hardware or home improvement items will provide ideas for nearly every Christmas list.

Since heating makes up about half of home energy use, how about a programmable thermostat - with installation? It's a wonderful way to keep someone warm and cut heating costs. Pairing it with a nice down or fleece blanket, or an angora sweater, might let the thermostat be lowered a degree or two, which can reduce heating costs 3 percent to 6 percent.

Electronic products are always popular and the efficiency varies significantly. The easy way to pick the most efficient is to look for models bearing the Energy Star® symbol, which tells you they strict energy efficiency guidelines. Some ideas include cell phones, personal digital assistants, digital cameras and camcorders manufactured with Energy Star qualified power adapters, which use 35 percent less electricity.

Home office equipment that carries the Energy Star symbol includes computers, monitors, printers and scanners. Many of these products save electricity through power management. When equipment is not in use, it automatically enters a low-power "sleep" mode. An Energy Star qualified computer consumes about 80 percent less electricity in sleep mode than in full-power mode.

You could also consider a solar battery charger for cell phones, MP3 players, personal digital assistants, digital cameras and other toys.

And speaking of toys, if the children on your list are about to receive battery-powered toys, also treat them to a battery charger and two sets of rechargeable batteries.

If you're thinking about buying a big-screen TV, consider a liquid crystal display, or LCD, model. LCD TVs use about a third less power than a plasma TV. Be sure to look for Energy Star qualified TVs. They use about 30 percent less energy than standard units.

Light the way

Consider energy-efficient lighting gifts. Among them are solar-powered yard lights, lights with motion detectors that come on only when they sense movement, and Tiffany-style Energy Star rated decorative lamps. Or a desk lamp or portable work light could get the job done without lighting the entire room.

You can also find light-emitting-diode lighting for automobiles and decorative lighting.

You might also consider small electric appliances for cooking. While these are obviously not suitable for the holiday turkey, they do work for more normal-sized meals. A toaster oven, for example, is considerably more efficient than the conventional oven.

For those on limited incomes, perhaps a young couple or a senior citizen, consider offering help making their home more efficient. Many homes could use caulking and weather-stripping, which can cut heating costs by 1 percent to 4 percent. People might also appreciate compact fluorescent light bulbs, or a new furnace filter, especially if you install them. Low-flow shower heads and faucets, which can cut hot water use by 5 percent to 10 percent, are another possibility. If you're a bit more industrious, consider adding insulation, if necessary, to the ceiling or floor.

A portable space heater could be a much-appreciated gift. Closing off one room and heating it ­- instead of the whole house - to a comfortable temperature lets you stay on budget while keeping toasty warm. You can find a good one for about $40 at local hardware and home improvement stores.

Good luck with your shopping!