Apps to Help You Save Energy

Smart thermostat apps: Heating and cooling make up a large portion of the average home’s energy consumption (and cost!), so saving on heating and cooling can make a big impact on bills. Smart thermostats and their accompanying apps are handy and promote energy efficient behavior — and these devices have become much more affordable over the years. You can purchase an Energy Star®-certified smart thermostat for as low as $100, which can save you 8% on annual heating and cooling costs, about $50 per year. The device will quickly pay for itself, and you’ll gain insight into better ways to heat and cool your home. Plus, the ability to control the thermostat from anywhere can equate to real savings. We recommend trusted brands and devices, like Google Nest, ecobee and Honeywell Home smart thermostats.

Energy cost calculators: If you’re wanting to reduce energy use at home, it’s important to know where your consumption is going. Energy cost calculators can help pinpoint your energy use with a few simple steps and identify areas to save. The concept is pretty simple: just plug in the wattage of your various appliances and how often you use them to see which are using the most energy. Most energy cost calculator apps are free and can be downloaded to any Apple or Android device. If you browse the app store, you’ll find multiple energy cost calculator apps, but most are similar in functionality. Be sure to read the app’s reviews and download the one that best aligns with your energy efficiency goals.

JouleBug app: If you’re competitive and enjoy gamifying — well, everything — the JouleBug app is right up your alley. JouleBug makes energy conservation simple and fun through personal tasks and badges earned within the app, group challenges you can tackle with friends, and communities you can join to learn about local sustainability efforts. The JouleBug app is free and can be downloaded to Apple or Android devices, and it’s an easy tool to make saving energy fun.