Trying to boost your home's energy efficiency isn't just eco-friendly -- it can pay off big time when those utility bills hit your mailbox every month. Though some "green" upgrades can be pricey, others can be surprisingly budget-friendly, especially when you factor in long-term energy savings. Here are 25 products, from high-tech smart thermostats to low-tech draft blockers and dryer balls, that are worth the investment.
Price: $30 | Buy it at Amazon
Now there's no more excuse for leaving those lights blazing all day or night. Plug lamps into these smart plugs and turn them on and off automatically. There's even a random setting that can turn them on and off at unpredictable times when you're on vacation.
Price: $169 | Buy it at Home Depot
This brighter, stripped-down version of the Nest has all the smart features of its pricier big brother, but for less. It will learn your temperature preferences, and most importantly, turn down the heat or AC on its own when you're not home, leading to some nice savings on utility bills.
Price: $17 | Buy it at Amazon
Outside air can seep into your home around light switches and outlets, not just doors and windows. These little stick-on sealers are an easy way to protect against drafts, and there are kits that can insulate everything from traditional light switches to waste and water lines.
Price: $41.68 | Buy it at Home Depot
When the temperature rises, keeping cool with a ceiling fan is far cheaper than cranking up the air conditioning. This Energy Star-certified model is inexpensive, big enough for up to a 20-by-20-foot room, and versatile enough to blend into almost any home.
Price: $199 | Buy it at Amazon
There's nothing worse than coming home to find your home sprinkler system watering your already-soaking lawn on a rainy day. This smart controller tracks the weather and automatically skips sessions as needed, helping save both water and money.
Price: $39.76 | Buy it at Amazon
This smart strip can help stop those "energy vampires" -- devices like printers, computers, and chargers that keep using power while they're plugged in, even if they're off. It automatically cuts power to the outlets when devices aren't in use, and offers robust surge protection, too.
Price: $13.03 | Buy it at Amazon
Newer windows can help keep the heat in and the cold out. But if you're renting or just can't swing such a pricey upgrade, this insulating film is the next best thing. It includes enough film to cover five windows and make an airtight seal. Wrinkles are easy to remove with a hair dryer.
Price: $79 | Buy it at Amazon
Everyone's favorite pressure cooker can be an energy saver, too. It can cook food in much less time than a traditional oven or slow cooker, and it doesn't require as much water, either. Ten built-in smart programs make dishes like soup, stew, and rice a snap.
Price: $69 | Buy it at Home Depot
Don't worry anymore about leaving those outdoor lights blazing all day. This attractive Energy Star-certified LED fixture has a dusk-to-dawn sensor that will automatically turn on the light at night, then off once morning rolls around.
Price: $7.16 | Buy it at Amazon
Your dryer has to work harder and longer to dry clumps of stuck-together towels, sweaters, sheets, and shirts. Reduce drying time and save energy by tossing in these simple, reusable dryer balls to keep laundry separated, allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently.
Price: $379 | Buy it at Amazon
Beat the heat by cooling a smaller space this summer and your wallet will thank you. This window air conditioner is not only more attractive than most, it connects to your smartphone for easy operation and scheduling.
Price: $19.55 | Buy it at Amazon
Everyone wants the feel of a luxurious shower without paying the equally luxurious water bill, and this Delta showerhead can make it happen. The low-flow spray offers the coverage, intensity and warmth of other shower heads thanks to Delta's H2Okinetic technology, which "sculpts" the water into a wave pattern.
Price: $17 | Buy it at Amazon
Here's an inexpensive solution for that drafty door. This draft blocker has dual foam cylinders that help seal up those annoying cracks on doors up to 36 inches wide. It works on any floor, including carpet, and has a hook-and-loop closure for a tight fit.
Price: $169 | Buy it at Home Depot
This well-reviewed WaterSense-certified toilet has a dual-flush design that can help conserve by using about 20 percent less water to flush liquid waste. It's available in four colors and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Price: $30 | Buy it at Home Depot
When your heating and cooling bills are out of control, this handheld infrared thermometer with an LCD display lets you play energy detective. It can help suss out which doors and windows are creating hot or cold spots, and which vents aren't working efficiently.
Price: $899 | Buy it at Home Depot
A new high-efficiency washer can pack a powerful punch when it comes to lower utility bills. This Energy Star model will sense load sizes and add only the water needed to clean those clothes, and the low-profile impeller is gentler on delicate garments than old-school agitators.
Price: $16.69 | Buy it at Amazon
Whether you keep leaving the bathroom fan on or just can't seem to remember to shut off that closet or pantry light, this motion-sensor switch can help bail you out. Set it to stay on for just a minute or even up to a half-hour after detecting motion.
Price: $94 | Buy it at Amazon
Give your water bill a breather by harnessing what Mother Nature already gives you. This attractive rain barrel can hold up to 40 gallons of water and has a brass spigot for easy hose attachments when it's time to quench those thirsty plants.
Price: $126 | Buy it at Home Depot
These blackout blinds have a honeycomb design that provides more effective insulation from temperature extremes than standard blinds or other window coverings. They're also cordless, making them a smart pick for homes with small children.
Price: $45.55 | Buy it at Amazon
Water heaters, especially less-efficient older models, can be one of a home's single biggest energy hogs after heating and cooling systems. This simple timer can turn on the water heater at pre-specified times so that you're not wasting energy to keep water heated all hours.
Price: $80 | Buy it at Amazon
Instead of cranking up the heat for your whole house, a well-placed space heater can take the chill off in the room you're in, saving energy and money. This panel provides a more quiet, even heat than a forced-air model and can be mounted on the wall in places where space is tight.
Price: $100 | Buy it at Amazon
Long-lived LED light bulbs are among the most efficient lights you can buy, and these smart bulbs take the savings one step further by giving you the ability to control them and create schedules with your smartphone. Got Alexa? You can even control them with your voice.
Price: $2 | Buy it at Amazon
Installing these small, flow-restricting gadgets on your faucets is a cheap, easy way to save on water and energy, especially for everyday tasks like brushing teeth and washing hands. The dual-thread adaptors will fit most sinks.
Price: $207 | Buy it at Walmart
If you need an air purifier to help soothe allergies, this sleek Conway model is a great pick. Its four-stage filtration system includes a HEPA filter that traps pollen, dust, pet dander, and other irritants, and its eco mode ensures it won't be running constantly by shutting off the fan after detecting clean air for 30 minutes.
Price: $100 | Buy it at Amazon
There's no need to keep the heat cranked up all night long when you have a cozy heated mattress pad to keep you toasty. This model has dual side controls -- perfect for couples -- as well as 10 heat settings and a 10-hour automatic safety shut-off.