10 Budget-Friendly Amazon Finds to Cut Energy Costs This Winter

Energy costs rise during winter to keep your house warm and well-lit as the days get colder and shorter. Over the past 25 years, electricity rates have increased by 2.67% per year. As temperatures drop, it’s time to start thinking about ways to cut costs.

SolarReviews experts found ten Amazon products at different price points that can help keep your energy costs low during the winter months.

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Energy-saving products for under $25

For those on a tight budget, here are some products to help you keep your energy usage down for $25 or less.

Vellure Door Draft Stopper

The Vellure Door Draft Stopper blocks unwanted drafts from creeping through your doors. It is made from industrial-grade silicone and a strong adhesive strip, so it can stick to virtually any surface and prevent drafts.

Sealing any drafts in your home is a simple way to save energy. By preventing cold air from entering your home, you won't be reaching to raise the thermostat as often. Energy Star says air sealing your home can save 15% on average on heating and cooling costs.

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Duck Brand Window Insulation Kit

Insulating your windows is another cost-effective way to save a bit of money on your electricity bills. The Duck Brand Window Insulation Kit has enough plastic shrink film to cover five to ten windows in your home and double-sided tape to keep it in place. 

Drafty windows can occur over time, letting in excess cold air. But sealing your windows is easy, especially with Duck Brand's kit.

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NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains

If you want to combine energy efficiency with style and aesthetics – thermal insulated curtains are the perfect solution. The triple-weave blackout fabric of NICETOWN'S Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains helps balance room temperature and save energy. Best of all, these curtains come in countless color and length options to match your home decor. 

The set includes two blackout curtain panels with six grommets on top to fit a rod through. The kit does not include a rod.

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Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater

Purchasing a space heater is a great way to keep warm without using a ton of energy. Heating your space with a space heater can potentially save up to $231. It's important to note that you shouldn't rely on a small-scale space heater for your entire home. But, if you're looking to keep one area warm, a space heater can be an excellent choice.

The Amazon Basics Space Heater has 1500 watts of heat output, along with a customizable heat setting that you can adjust to your comfort level. The heater is also light and compact enough to store anywhere in your home or office. Best of all, this heater has overheat and tip-over protection for your peace of mind.

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Energy-saving products for under $50

For those that have a little extra money in their budget, here’s a few simple energy-saving products for $50 or less.

Medical King Heated Blanket

You can use a heated blanket to avoid cranking up the heat during the coldest days of the year. Get comfy on your couch with the heated blanket from Medical King and enjoy instant warmth!

This heated blanket comes with a hand controller that you can use to turn the blanket on and off and adjust the heat settings. The blanket also comes with an automatic shut-off safety feature.

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MAGZO Magnetic Thermal Insulated Door Curtain

Another cost-effective solution to maintaining your home's temperature and keeping drafts out is with insulated door curtains. The weatherproof triple-layered fabric effectively blocks out cold winds, rain, and dust. The curtains have strong magnetic closing strips that block out cold draft and excessive heat – so these can be used year-round to help with heating and cooling expenses.

These curtains can be easily installed inside your home using the included adhesive strips to secure it to any door frame. Not only do these curtains maintain room temperature, they also serve as a sound proofer and privacy curtains – a multitude of uses compared to your standard window curtains. 

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Energy-saving products for over $100

Home improvement upgrades can get pricey, but energy bill savings help to make a return on your investment. Here’s a few upscale products to winterize your home – that still won’t break the bank.

Electactic Electric Fireplace Stove

Electric fireplaces allow the ability to heat your room, all while keeping the comfortable feel of being snuggled up in front of a fire. This freestanding electronic fireplace from Electactic is controlled remotely to adjust the temperature, flame color, and speed. 

This product can heat spaces to 1,000 square feet, perfect for smaller apartments or single rooms. It's an excellent option for keeping your gas bill down.

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Google Nest Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are an excellent energy-efficient upgrade for any home. The Google Nest Smart Thermostat is one of the most popular options. It’s programmable, so you can automatically set them to the perfect home temperature, even adjusting it based on your daily schedule. This way, no energy has to be wasted heating your home after you've left the house!

Nest thermostats help homeowners save an estimated average of 10% to 15% on heating and cooling bills.

You can adjust all settings, check your home status, and set any preferences within the Nest app, giving you all the power right at your fingertips. The app also shows how much energy you've used and how to save more. This device is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google

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OUPES 1800W Portable Power Station

The OUPES 1800W Solar Generator can come in handy during the winter months to plug in different devices without worrying about your electricity bills skyrocketing. With 1,800 W of continuous power output, this generator can easily power small appliances – such as a space heater or heated blanket.

If you pair this generator with a portable solar panel, you can charge your devices without using any electricity from your utility company, which helps reduce energy bills. 

Also, if you live in an area that is prone to harsh winter storms, this device can come in handy if you experience any power outages.

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LEVOIT Smart Humidifier

Purchasing a humidifier is a great way to save on heating bills. When your heat is cranked up, the air in your home tends to dry out. Even though humidifiers don’t heat a room directly, the increased moisture can make you feel warmer, making you less inclined to turn the heat up. 

The LEVOIT Smart Humidifier can be used for up to 600 square feet for 100 hours at a time before needing to be refilled. Also, you can set schedules, test out different settings, and customize humidity levels from your phone or with the included remote control.

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Tips on lowering electricity bills in the winter

Electricity bills tend to shoot up for most homeowners in the coldest and hottest months of the year, mainly due to heating and cooling costs taking such a large portion of the bill. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks to lower your electricity bills that can be easily incorporated into your life:

• Unplug devices whenever possible: Electronics plugged into power outlets still draw small amounts of power from the grid, even when they’re shut off. These ‘phantom loads’ can account for up to 10% of your home’s electricity usage. 

• Get a home energy audit: Home energy audits are whole-home inspections that evaluate how much energy your home uses to identify problem areas. This could help you make an informed decision on what products to buy to save energy. These can be conducted by a professional, or DIY.

• Use time-of-use rates to your advantage: If you pay for electricity on a time-of-use rate schedule, you can use this system to your advantage by doing the most energy-consuming tasks during the off-peak hours when electricity is the cheapest. 

If you really want to lower your electricity bills, one of the best ways is by installing solar panels. Solar panels can potentially eliminate all of your energy costs and eventually power your home with free electricity all year long. Our solar calculator can give you an accurate estimate of how much solar panels can lower your electricity bill without needing any personal information.