Energy saving gifts not only can make the holidays bright, but they can also keep on saving money throughout the year, and that is really something to feel jolly about.

America’s electric companies suggest the following energy-saving appliances and gadgets.  These will bring a smile to the face of even the most hard-to-shop-for person on your list.  And they will keep on giving all-year round with energy savings and environmental benefits. 

• LCD TVs—Liquid crystal display, or LCD, TVs offer a great picture, and on an inch-by-inch basis, and compared with a plasma TV, they use up to three-times less power.  Be sure to look for ENERGY STAR® qualified TVs—they use about 30 percent less energy than standard units.
• Electronic Gear—ENERGY STAR® qualified power adapters for cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and camcorders use 35 percent less electricity.
• Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucet—These now come in many styles and help save energy by using less hot water.  In fact, consumers can save between 5-10% of their hot water use by installing these devices.
• Programmable Thermostat—Great for the tech-lover, these thermostats can automatically control the temperature of the house at various time of the day.  By lowering the temperature when the house is unoccupied, these thermostats can help save energy and money.  In fact, each degree the thermostat is lowered in the winter can save about 3% on the heating bill.
• Home Office Equipment—ENERGY STAR® computers, monitors, printers, scanners and other office essentials save electricity through special power management features.  When equipment is not in use, it automatically enters a low-power "sleep" mode.  An ENERGY STAR® qualified computer in sleep mode consumes about 80 percent less electricity than it does in full-power mode.  Overall, ENERGY STAR® qualified office products use about half as much electricity as standard equipment.

Your electric utility has more ideas on how you can make your home energy efficient all year round.  They have free energy saving tips and ideas, and many electric utilities offer energy-saving programs, such as an online energy audit.  You can find out where your home or business might be wasting energy—right from your own computer.

For more information about electric utility efficiency programs and services, and a free booklet, “More than 100 Ways to Improve Your Electric Bill,” please visit http://www.eei.org/wiseuse.