Every saved penny can be stashed away for emergencies or maybe even to help pay for a long overdue vacation. One of the easiest ways to save money is to cut costs to reduce expenses. For homeowners, the utility bills can be controlled…up to a point.

Simple changes or even little updates throughout the home can help reduce energy use to lower bills and save money. Energy efficient technologies also can help homeowners rein in these costs and unplug from high utility bills.

Looking to save money? Upgrade to these energy-efficient technologies and start saving!

LED Light Bulbs

One of the easiest upgrades to make in the home is simply switching out halogen bulbs for LED bulbs. These are highly energy-efficient sources of light and they can last more than a decade. While the initial investment might be higher, these bulbs make up for the sticker price by their extensive lifespan.

During the span of a 30-year mortgage, homeowners may only need to switch out each light bulb a few times. That’s a bright spot for upgrading those bulbs!

The Internet of Things

Some homeowners forget to turn lights or the television off when leaving the room. This leads to energy waste and more electricity costs, too. What if homeowners could control those lights and gadgets from anywhere? Just by using their phone!

They can with the Internet of Things. Investing in smart plugs or smart powerstrips allows gadgets, lamps and even appliances to be controlled by a phone or tablet. Some smart plugs are even controlled by virtual assistants using voice commands.

Having the home controlled via phone allows homeowners to also make adjustments remotely…or even while on vacation.

Programmable Thermostats

Stop worrying about the temperature in the home, and program that thermostat! Homeowners who still manually have to adjust their thermostat might consider upgrading to ensure their home remains at a specific temperature when they are at work…or at home.

Setting the temperature via a program allows homeowners not to think about any adjustments. And their home automatically abides by the programmed times and temperatures.

Touch-Free Faucets

Lots of homeowners are likely guilty of leaving the water running when they wash their hands or brush their teeth. Sometimes old habits die hard. To save the water that is wasted when it isn’t being used—but instead dripping down the drain—homeowners can install touch free faucets.

How do touch free faucets operate? They use motion sensors to turn on or off. While homeowners and kids might have to wave their hands a bit to turn on the faucet, they will never have to worry about leaving the water running again!

Looking for a new touch-free option? Better Homes & Gardens has a list of recommendations for the kitchen! Using these upgraded faucets also ensures that hands that have touched raw meat don’t come into contact with the faucet.

Solar Power

Solar power is an extremely energy-efficient technology that harnesses the light of the sun to power the home. While solar panels might be a bit of an investment to install, homeowners could enjoy significant savings. After all, the sun is free!

Refrigerators that are Magnetized

While homeowners might think of magnets as sticking to refrigerators, this technology might prove to be an energy-efficient way to power the cool fridge. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that General Electric and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working on this magnifying new type of refrigeration technology.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

When an appliance has hit the end of its usefulness and the repairs to keep it running are simply too expensive, homeowners can consider upgrading to an energy-efficient model. ENERGY STAR appliances require less energy to operate, and this saves money and reduces the homeowner’s overall energy footprint.

Upgraded Roofs

While a new roof is one of the most expensive investments a homeowner may face during their time in their home, eventually a new roof is a must. But the material for a new roof could be more—or less—energy efficient. For example, a metal roof absorbs lots of heat and can result in significant energy savings especially for those living in really hot climates.

Energy-Efficient HVAC

Upgrading appliances to ENERGY STAR models can help homeowners save, but as heating and cooling account for a massive amount of the home’s energy use, choosing a new energy-efficient HVAC may make a big impact. A new HVAC system is expensive, and this is another upgrade that might wait until the furnace and/or the air conditioner absolutely needs to be replaced.

There are many more ways for homeowners to embrace energy savings and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Choosing energy-saving appliances and improving the home’s energy efficiency with upgraded features doesn’t just save money but it also can help decrease the home’s environmental footprint. Not only are energy-efficient technologies good for the budget, but they are even better for the planet!