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10 Ideas for Energy Saving Products in Your New Home

September 23, 2022

At New Tradition Homes, we believe in doing things the right way. With that in mind, we’ve poured our hearts into building the best homes for thousands of local families. Our journey to energy-efficient and sustainable construction began in 2005, making us one of the first pioneers in the industry to adopt energy-efficient and better building practices. Over the years, we’ve become experts at energy efficiency and energy-saving products.

What are Some of the Best Energy Saving Devices for My Home?

New Tradition Homes cares about our environment and sustainable building. That's why we are dedicated to green building practices and energy-saving technology. Every single home we build includes appliances, materials, and devices that make it smarter, greener, and healthier. There are a number of energy-efficient gadgets on the market that can help you create your own smart, energy-saving home.

Programmable thermostats.

There are many types of programmable thermostats that can help save energy. Some allow you to control your home’s temperature from your smartphone or computer; other models learn your heating and cooling habits and adapt to them. If you only choose one of these energy-saving devices, a thermostat is a great way to make your home more energy conscious.

LED bulbs.

LED bulbs use less energy to create the same amount of light given off by an incandescent bulb. They light up immediately after being turned on and consume no power when turned off. While LEDs cost more upfront, they use about 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer. And some are “smart” bulbs that can be programmed to turn on and off.

Smart plugs.

Like smart lights, smart plugs can be programmed to turn on and off automatically, and monitor energy consumption. Plug in any gadget or small appliance you'd normally use in a wall outlet, and a smart plug will bring it online.

Motion sensors.

If you are using smart lights, consider adding a compatible motion sensor. A good motion sensor can turn lights on in the bathroom light at night or turn off all the living room lights when no motion is detected.

Smart sprinklers.

Smart sprinklers save water by allowing you to schedule when your grass gets watered. They can even automatically adapt if rain is in the forecast.

Smart appliances.

These appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines) save energy and water. Major appliance brands such as Whirlpool, LG Electronics, Samsung, and General Electric all make smart appliances.

Solar panels.

Solar panels allow you to harness the sun’s energy and use it for electricity. The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly recently, making it a more affordable energy-saving option. The savings from your energy bill will help the solar panels pay for themselves.

Solar lights.

These outdoor lights also harness the power of the sun. No wires or cords; just push the stakes into the ground and you’re done. They automatically turn on around dusk and shut off at dawn. They’re rain and snow-resistant design, too.

Eco chargers.

Did you know that your chargers use power, whether you are using them or not? If unplugging your charger is a hassle, try an eco charger. Instead of using power 24/7, an eco charger turns itself off after your device is fully charged.

Energy monitors.

These devices are located inside a home’s electrical panel, attached to the electrical main. They communicate data via wifi to show how much energy your home is using, or which devices are using the most energy. They also connect to a mobile or web-based app so you can see what’s happening in real time, or check to see if you shut off a certain appliance. (Hire an electrician to install one. Not a DIY project.)

The Next Level of Green & Energy-Efficient Homes

New Tradition Homes continues to be the Northwest’s leader in green building practices. Our homes are performance tested for air loss, moisture and undergo a complete systems analysis. With high performance windows, a high-efficiency furnace, advanced insulation, filtered fresh air, and performance tested wall systems, our homes stay comfortable all year round.

All our homes are 100% Energy Star Certified, designed to exceed local energy codes, and third-party certified by ENERGY STAR®. We are also a RESNET Energy Smart Builder®, and every home we build comes with a HERS Score (a home energy rating) so you know how much money you will save each month on your utility bills.

Want a more eco-friendly, energy-efficient home for your family? Consider one of our communities in the Vancouver and Tri-Cities areas. Contact us to get started on the search for a home built with the highest level of energy-efficient features.