the buys that pay back are the ones that change how you heat: a smart thermostat that sets the heat back at night and while you are out, a whole-home energy monitor that shows exactly what is eating your bill, and a heated throw so you can keep the thermostat a few degrees lower in the evening. Skip plug-in “power saver” boxes.
Affiliate note: As an Amazon Associate, The Low Bill Home earns from qualifying purchases. It never changes what I recommend.
The rule: pay back in one winter or skip it
Every November I get the same question from tenants: which Black Friday gadget will lower the bill? My answer is a test. Take the price, divide it by what it saves per month, and if the result is longer than one heating season, it is not an energy purchase. It might still be a nice gadget, but it will not fix a bill.
Plug-in “power saver” boxes that promise 30–50% savings fail that test every time; they do not change how much energy your heater or fridge uses. The buys below pass it, as long as you actually use the schedule, the data or the lower setting.
Payback calculator
How fast does it pay back?
What each one saves
| Buy | Price on Nov 2 | Pays back | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart thermostat | $79–80 | One winter if you set back | Homes empty during the day |
| Whole-home energy monitor | $100 | Depends on what you find | “Why is my bill so high?” homes |
| Heated throw | $40 | One or two winters | Evenings on the sofa |
The U.S. Department of Energy says turning a thermostat back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. The cheap fixes still matter too: LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescents, and $5 outdoor faucet covers (with the hose disconnected) help prevent a frozen spigot, the most expensive winter repair I see in rentals. For the small stuff, see our energy-saving gifts.
What I would buy this Black Friday
| Pick | Why | What owners complain about |
|---|---|---|
| Heating schedule Amazon Smart Thermostat | The cheapest way into a heating schedule with Alexa. The app walks you through setup step by step. | Connectivity complaints are common, and it needs a C-wire (or the adapter). Check compatibility before you buy. |
| Heating schedule Google Nest Thermostat | The Google option at a similar price, with simple scheduling in the Google Home app. | Mixed reliability: some owners report Wi-Fi drops, the fan not turning off from the app, or confusing instructions. |
| Find the waste Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor | Clamps onto the circuits in your panel and shows what each one uses in real time. Owners say it is easy to install and finally shows where the electricity goes. | Very few complaints in the summary. It installs inside the electrical panel; if you are not comfortable with that, hire an electrician. |
| Lower the thermostat Bedsure Heated Throw Blanket | Lets you sit at 66°F instead of 70°F in the evening. Owners say it is soft and warm. | Durability is mixed: several owners say the heating element stopped after a few months, and some find it not very warm. |
Prices were checked on November 2. Amazon’s Black Friday week is expected to start around November 19–20; adding items to your cart now makes price drops easy to spot.
What to skip
- “Power saver” plug-in boxes. They do not reduce what your appliances use.
- A smart thermostat you will never program. If the temperature stays the same 24/7, a $80 thermostat saves nothing over a $20 one.
- Replacing LEDs that work. If your home is already LED, put the money toward drafts instead: see how to stop window and door drafts.
FAQ
What energy-saving products are worth buying on Black Friday?
A smart thermostat if you will use a schedule, a whole-home energy monitor if you do not know why your bill is high, and a heated throw or blanket that lets you keep the house cooler.
Do plug-in power saver devices work?
No. Plug-in “power saver” boxes do not reduce the energy your appliances use, so they do not lower a typical home’s bill.
How much does a smart thermostat save?
The U.S. Department of Energy says turning the thermostat back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. Without a setback, it saves very little.
Is a home energy monitor worth it?
If your bill is high and you do not know why, yes. It shows which circuits use the most, so you can fix the real problem instead of guessing.
When does Amazon Black Friday start in 2026?
Black Friday is November 27. Amazon’s Black Friday week is expected to start about a week earlier; many early deals are already live.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: LED Lighting
- U.S. Department of Energy: Programmable Thermostats
- EPA WaterSense: Showerheads
Email me at hello@thelowbillhome.com. I read every message, and when a rate, a rule or a product changes, I update the guide.
Affiliate Disclosure: The Low Bill Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some links on this page are affiliate links; if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
