Energy Apps to Save You Money and Save the Environment

Running a home can be expensive — and bad for the environment. Though it might not seem like leaving a lamp plugged in when it isn’t in use or running a few half-loads of laundry are big energy wasters, these small actions can add up to a larger electricity bill and carbon footprint for your family. Over time, the more energy you use will become a bigger environmental impact.

A win win? By tracking your energy usage and making small changes to your daily life, you can save money and save the environment. Everything from investing in eco-friendly cleaning supplies or a power strip to installing a smart thermometer can make an impact on your energy usage. We’ve rounded up a list of energy apps and household tips that can help you go green and spend less green.

Table of Contents

Electricity Apps and Websites to Track Your Usage

These phone applications and websites can help you track energy usage or run an eco-friendly home.

1. Smappee

Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free app with the purchase of the Smappee home energy sensor

Smappee aims to provide comprehensive, real-time insight into energy consumption that can even pinpoint which appliances are using the most power. Via a sensor attached to the user’s fusebox, Smappee collects energy insights and sends them to the user’s phone.

2. Meter Readings

Available on: iOS
Cost: Free with in-app purchases available

Meter Readings allows users to input data from up to nine different meters and visualizes the data in graphs to help them understand their consumption and energy cost. Users can use this graph data to track their energy usage over time.

3. Energy Tracker

Available on: iOS
Cost: Free with in-app purchases available

Energy Tracker allows users to input consumption data for electricity, water, gas and heat, then creates graphs to detail consumption. You can break down energy consumption by the hour, day, week and year.

4. EyeOnWater

Available on: iOS + Android
Cost: Free

EyeOnWater focuses specifically on water analysis and reporting. The app connects to the user’s water utility accounts to analyze usage, discover trends about water usage and cost and even report potential leaks on the property.

5. Light Bulb Finder

Available on: mobile web surfing
Cost: Free

With proven benefits to opting for LED bulbs, Light Bulb Finder helps users find these light bulbs in their area and tells them where they can get the best deals. The site lets users input their address and which type of light bulb they need, then gives them options on where to purchase them.

Eco-Friendly Home Management Tips

There are many changes — small and large — that can impact your home’s carbon footprint.

1. Smart devices

Smart devices like a programmable thermostat allow you to make real-time adjustments and program changes to your home’s heating and cooling. By doing this, you can stop the heat or air conditioning from working too hard when no one is home or everyone is asleep, and save energy.

2. Use LED light bulbs

Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are a not only more energy-efficient, but they also last longer than regular bulbs. Switching to this type of bulb means you’ll not only use less energy to light your home, you also won’t need to replace your bulbs as much.

3. Use power strips

Did you know that your appliances and electronics still leech off of your power, even when they’re not powered on? These “vampire appliances” will still consume energy as long as they’re plugged into a wall. You can combat this by plugging these electronics into power strips, and turning the strip itself off when it’s not in use.

This infographic from Hippo compiles energy app and eco-friendly home information.

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