1. Electricity Gadgets: Usage Monitor or Owl Monitor
Electricity monitors work with Nightsaver tariffs but not all are suitable for homes with solar PV panels installed. The real benefit involves identifying where the majority of energy bill spend originates by monitoring appliances during operation.
Efergy Engage Hub (formerly Owl Electricity Monitor)
- Easy-to-read LCD display
- Displays: real-time and all-time energy consumption, carbon emissions, average consumption
- Maximum range: 30m from electricity meter
- Refresh rate: every 12 seconds
- Mobile apps: Android and Apple stores available
- Price: from €99.09
Geo Minim Energy Monitor
- Black back-lit LCD design
- Which? Best Buy Award recipient
- Shows: current/past energy consumption, carbon emissions, room temperature
- Range: up to 30m from electricity meter
- Price: from €110.00
Loop Energy Saver Monitor/Loop App
- Two models for gas and electricity monitoring
- No physical display; uses online service and mobile app
- Free lifetime subscription to Loop Energy Saver Service
- Connects directly to smart meters
- Claimed savings: up to 10% energy consumption reduction
Eco Eye Smart PV Energy Monitor
- Specifically designed for Solar PV panel systems
- Displays electricity used and generated
- Shows current import/export values
- Amazon rating: 4 out of 5 stars
- Price: €115.00
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2. Smart Plugs and Power Strips: Fighting Vampire Power
Smart plugs and power strips combat "vampire power" or "phantom load"—electricity consumed by appliances when turned off but still plugged in. Common culprits include TVs, phone chargers, game consoles, and computer monitors.
Key Benefits:
- Remote on/off capability via mobile app
- Real-time energy use monitoring
- Automatic scheduling for overnight equipment shutdown
- Eliminates constant standby drain
Pricing: Individual smart plugs start from €15.00 upwards
3. Breville HotCup Hot Water Dispenser
- Customer rating: 8.3 out of 10 on Currys website
- Fast-boil 3kW element
- Boiling water production: within seconds
- Capacity: up to five cups without refill
- Only boils water needed
Cost Savings: Boiling a full kettle five times when distracted uses approximately €2 in electricity.
Pricing: 1.7-litre model from €49.99
4. Instant Pot
Pressure-cooking represents a faster, less energy-intensive cooking method. Instant Pots are smart programmable pressure cookers with automatic temperature regulation.
- Automatic temperature regulation
- Set-and-walk-away operation with alarm notification
- Multi-function capability (pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, yogurt maker)
- Example model: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
Pricing: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 from €89.99
5. Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge Freezer
Refrigerators and freezers are among the most expensive household appliances to operate due to continuous operation and size.
Energy Consumption Data:
- Modern energy-efficient models: 400-500 kWh annually (€140-€175 annual cost)
- Older inefficient models: up to 1,400 kWh annually (€490 worth of electricity)
Samsung Features:
- Internal cameras photograph contents each time door opens/closes
- Transfer images to external display panel
- Check ingredients remotely without opening door
- Expiration date tracking to reduce food waste
- Additional features: Spotify connection, recipe channels, digital noteboard
Pricing: Range from €1,649.99 to €4,539.21
Note: Cost savings from reduced door opening may not offset the expensive price tag.
6. Window Solar Charger
Working from home increased household energy bills compared to pre-pandemic patterns, as homes operate 24/7 rather than evenings/weekends only.
Product Types:
- Mini window solar chargers (compact designs)
- Larger panel-style chargers (suitable for mobile homes, camping)
Pricing: Starting as low as €25 for low-capacity models
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7. Logitech Wireless Solar Powered Keyboards
- Lightweight design
- Attractive glossy black mini-solar panel at top
- Charge retention: up to three months in darkened room
- Color availability: black only
- Eliminates USB cable charging dependency
Pricing: From €99 upwards
8. The Waterpebble
A shower gadget that monitors water usage and guides users toward shorter showers through incremental reductions.
- Simple traffic light system indicates time spent
- Place near shower drain
- Monitors water consumption
- Conserves water and water heating energy
Pricing: Around €11.83
9. Evolve Showerhead
Many households waste energy leaving showers running to heat up while completing morning routines, often overshooting the warm-water point.
Evolve Ladybug Showerhead Adapter Features:
- Cold water flows normally initially
- Flow reduces to trickle when water reaches 35°C
- Pull cord to resume full flow when ready
- Quick, easy, cheap installation
Pricing: €27.02
10. Infrared Panels
- No complicated piping or wiring required
- Plug-in operation with instant warmth
- Energy efficiency: 50% less energy than convection heaters for equivalent heat
- Modern, customizable designs
- More efficient than electric radiators for even space heating
- Less powerful than traditional gas heating systems
Ideal for occasional-use spaces like bathrooms where full-home heating seems wasteful.
Pricing: Starting region €49.99, scales with budget
See our comprehensive heating system guide for high-efficiency alternatives.
Ready to Switch and Save on Your Energy Bills?
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11. Energy Saving Light Bulbs
While light bulbs consume minimal energy compared to larger appliances (boilers, heating, fridges, washers), upgrading to LED bulbs provides measurable benefits.
- Lower energy bills
- Environmental benefits
- Quick, inexpensive implementation across the home