Inventions with power to save you cash

Ceiling fans are one of the most efficient ways to stay cool because they circulate air to increase evaporation of sweat rather than cooling the whole room. The Aerotron e503 is a new-generation ceiling fan that boosts efficiency with aerofoil-shaped blades, wingtips, an active self‑balancing system and a custom DC motor. It's designed to be quiet and use less energy than conventional fans (RRP $389), helping lower your summer cooling costs and even improving winter heating efficiency when run in reverse.

Belkin's WeMo Switch + Motion lets you wirelessly control plug‑in devices with simple adaptors and motion sensors. You can turn devices on/off, set timers and change settings from an iPhone or iPad. The motion sensor can automatically switch devices on when you enter a room and off when you leave, cutting wasted run time. WeMo also integrates with services like IFTTT to automate actions (for example, send a text when temperature drops below 15° and then turn a heater on). RRP $119.

Brightgreen's D700 matches the brightness of a 50W halogen (720 lumens) while using about a fifth of the energy and offering a 70,000‑hour lifespan. According to Brightgreen's calculator, the energy savings typically deliver a payback time of a year or less per bulb, after which ongoing savings reduce household lighting costs. RRP $69.

Duette Architella opaque blinds use a triple 'honeycomb' air‑pocket construction to trap insulating layers of air, creating an air barrier against heat loss and gain. When fully recessed and reveal‑mounted, the manufacturer claims these blinds will almost halve heat loss through windows, reducing heating and cooling demands. Pricing is on application.

Yes. Ceiling fans cool people in summer by circulating air, but they can also be effective in winter when set to reverse. Running a fan on reverse recirculates warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the living space, improving the efficiency of your heating and potentially lowering heating costs.

Integration with IFTTT (If This Then That) expands automation possibilities by linking smart devices and services. For example, you can program a WeMo Switch to send a notification when the temperature falls below 15°, then automatically turn a heater on. These automated triggers and routines reduce manual intervention and help ensure appliances run only when needed, trimming energy use.

The article lists example retail prices: Aerotron e503 ceiling fan RRP $389, Belkin WeMo Switch + Motion RRP $119 and Brightgreen D700 replacement bulb RRP $69, while Duette Architella blinds are priced on application. Whether the upfront cost is justified depends on expected energy savings — Brightgreen estimates a payback of a year or less per bulb, and other products lower running costs through reduced energy use or smarter control, so many households recoup costs over time.

Choosing energy‑efficient appliances, lighting and window furnishings reduces ongoing running costs and can produce measurable payback (for example, Brightgreen's bulb). Home automation and insulating products automate efficiency and cut wasted energy, which improves household cash flow and can also have environmental benefits. For everyday investors, these practical upgrades can be a low‑risk way to protect disposable income and lower utility bills.