Whether or not solar makes sense for you, these usually pay back faster. They also make any future solar system smaller and cheaper.
How these links work.Product links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. We picked categories and examples for usefulness, and they never influence our solar verdicts. More.
Whole-home energy monitors
A monitor clamps onto the wires in your electrical panel and shows what your home uses, hour by hour and often circuit by circuit. That tells you where your money goes, finds always-on loads you didn't know about, and gives you real data to size solar or a battery instead of trusting a salesperson's guess. If you already have solar, many monitors can also track production so you can spot a failing system.
When it makes sense
Before you get solar quotes, if your bill seems high for no clear reason, or if you own solar and want to check it is producing what was promised.
When it doesn't
If you are not comfortable working inside your main electrical panel and don't want to pay an electrician, a smart meter portal from your utility may give you enough data for free.
Typical cost
Roughly $100 to $400 for the hardware as of October 2026, plus an electrician's fee if you don't install it yourself. Prices change often.
Emporia Vue 3 Usually one of the lower-cost options; versions with extra sensors can track up to 16 individual circuits, and it works with solar.
Sense Energy Monitor Tries to identify individual appliances from your whole-home data without per-circuit sensors; a solar version also tracks production.
IoTaWatt Open-source monitor that stores data locally, a fit for people who prefer not to depend on a company's cloud service.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Smart plugs with energy metering
A metering smart plug shows how much electricity one plugged-in device uses, including when it's supposedly off. It's a cheap way to find standby power from entertainment centers, old fridges in the garage, or space heaters. You can also schedule devices to switch off when not in use.
When it makes sense
When you want to check a few specific devices, or you can't install a whole-home monitor because you rent.
When it doesn't
They can't measure hard-wired appliances like central air, electric water heaters or ranges, which are often the biggest loads.
Typical cost
Roughly $10 to $35 per plug, often less in multipacks, as of October 2026.
Kasa Smart Plug EP25 Widely available plug from TP-Link's Kasa line that reports energy use in its app.
Emporia Smart Plug Shows usage in the same app as the Emporia Vue whole-home monitor, handy if you own both.
Eve Energy Measures consumption and works over Matter, so it suits Apple Home and other Matter-based setups.
Amazon links (affiliate).
DIY energy audit tools
A plug-in watt meter tells you exactly what a device costs to run, and a thermal camera shows where heat leaks in or out around windows, doors, outlets and attic hatches. Together they help you spend weatherization money where it will actually make a difference. Some utilities also offer free or low-cost professional energy audits, which are worth checking first.
When it makes sense
When you want to find specific problems before spending money on fixes, especially in an older or drafty home.
When it doesn't
If your utility offers a free professional audit with a blower door test, that is usually more thorough than DIY tools.
Typical cost
About $20 to $50 for a plug-in watt meter; roughly $200 to $500 for a phone-attached thermal camera, as of October 2026.
P3 Kill A Watt (P4400) Long-sold plug-in meter that shows watts and cumulative kWh for any 120-volt plug-in device.
FLIR ONE thermal camera for smartphones Clips onto a phone to show temperature differences, useful for spotting air leaks and missing insulation on cold or hot days.
Klein Tools clamp meter Measures current on a single wire, useful for checking hard-wired loads if you know how to work safely around electrical panels.
Amazon links (affiliate).
LED bulbs
LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of incandescent bulbs for the same light and last much longer. Replacing bulbs you use for several hours a day is one of the cheapest bill reductions available. ENERGY STAR-certified bulbs have been tested for light output and lifespan.
When it makes sense
If you still have incandescent or halogen bulbs in fixtures you use often.
When it doesn't
If your home already uses LEDs everywhere, there's little left to save here.
Typical cost
Often a few dollars per bulb in multipacks as of October 2026; specialty and smart bulbs cost more.
GE Reveal or Relax LED bulbs Major-brand option available in many stores, with warm and color-enhanced versions.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Weatherization and air sealing
Heating and cooling are often the largest part of a home energy bill, and air leaks waste a lot of that energy. Sealing gaps around doors, windows, outlets and attic openings is cheap, DIY-friendly and makes rooms more comfortable. It also lowers the amount of solar you'd need later.
When it makes sense
In older homes, drafty rooms, or anywhere you feel cold air near windows, doors or outlets.
When it doesn't
If your home is new and tightly built, DIY sealing will likely save little; a professional audit can confirm.
Typical cost
Roughly $20 to $200 for DIY supplies as of October 2026; professional air sealing and insulation cost more but may qualify for utility rebates.
A smart thermostat automatically sets back heating and cooling when you're asleep or away, which can cut HVAC energy use without much effort. Many utilities offer rebates or bill credits, and some pay you to allow small adjustments during peak demand. It works best if you don't already manage your thermostat manually.
When it makes sense
If you have central heating or cooling and often leave the temperature constant all day.
When it doesn't
If you already adjust your thermostat carefully or have a heating system that a smart thermostat can't control well.
Typical cost
Roughly $80 to $280 as of October 2026, often less after a utility rebate.
Amazon Smart Thermostat A lower-cost option for people who want basic scheduling and app control.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Portable power stations
A portable power station is a large rechargeable battery with outlets, enough to keep a fridge, lights, a modem and phones running during a short outage. It costs far less than a home battery (a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 runs roughly $12,000 to $16,000 installed), and you can take it with you. Some can charge from portable solar panels.
When it makes sense
If outages are occasional and you mainly want essentials powered for hours or a day, not your whole house.
When it doesn't
If you need to run central air, an electric range or well pump for days, a generator or home battery may be a better fit.
Typical cost
Roughly $300 to $1,000 for about 1 kWh units; $2,000 to $4,000 or more for 3 to 4 kWh units, as of October 2026.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Around 4 kWh of capacity with expansion options; can connect to a home circuit through an electrician-installed transfer switch.
Anker SOLIX F3800 Roughly 3.8 kWh capacity with 240-volt output and expansion batteries available.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 About 1 kWh capacity, light enough to carry, good for small essentials during short outages.
Bluetti AC180 About 1.1 kWh capacity at a moderate price, suitable for short outages and camping.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Plug-in and balcony solar kits
These small kits plug into a standard outlet and feed power into your home circuit, offsetting a bit of daytime use without an installer. They suit renters and people who can't put panels on a roof. Output is small compared with a rooftop system.
When it makes sense
Where state law and your utility allow it, and you have a sunny balcony, yard or wall.
When it doesn't
If plug-in solar isn't legal where you live or your utility forbids it; check before buying.
Typical cost
Roughly $400 to $2,000 depending on size and whether a battery is included, as of October 2026.
EcoFlow PowerStream Microinverter system for plug-in solar; check U.S. availability and local rules before buying.
Anker SOLIX Solarbank Balcony solar battery system; features and availability vary by region.
Zendure SolarFlow Plug-in solar battery and inverter system; confirm your state allows plug-in solar.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Home EV chargers
If you own an electric car, a Level 2 home charger lets you charge faster and schedule charging for cheaper off-peak hours. That can save more money than you'd expect if your utility has time-of-use rates. Some utilities offer rebates for chargers or special EV rates.
When it makes sense
If you drive an EV daily and have a driveway or garage where you can install a charger.
When it doesn't
If you drive little and a standard outlet (Level 1) charging keeps up with your needs.
Typical cost
Roughly $300 to $700 for the charger, plus installation that can cost several hundred dollars or more, as of October 2026.
Emporia EV Charger Integrates with the Emporia energy monitor and can schedule charging around solar or off-peak hours.
ChargePoint Home Flex Adjustable output to match different electrical setups; check whether your utility offers a rebate for it.
Grizzl-E Classic Simple charger without Wi-Fi, for people who want basic charging at lower cost.
Amazon links (affiliate).
Books on home energy
A good book helps you understand your home's energy use, solar basics and efficiency upgrades without the sales pitch. It's a cheap way to make better decisions before spending thousands. Check the edition date, since solar policy and prices change quickly.
When it makes sense
If you like to understand the details before making big home decisions.
When it doesn't
If you want current incentives or prices, which books can't keep up with; use our state pages instead.
Typical cost
Roughly $15 to $40 per book as of October 2026; many libraries carry them.