Save on Summer Bills with 7 Budget-Smart Buys

To make a serious dent in your monthly utility bill, consider zeroing in on the biggest energy hog: your thermostat. The heating and cooling of your house accounts for half of your energy bill, especially when you're using an outdated system. Homeowners who upgraded to the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 15 percent on cooling bills thanks to the system's abilities to be programmed from a phone, learn preferences and daily habits, and recognize via sensors when no one is home. Add another 12 percent saved on heating in winter, and the savings you earn pay off this smart home accessory in just two years. Everything after can go right into your vacation fund. Available on Amazon; $249.

Related: 7 Tricks for Keeping Cool Without AC

Whether you're living in the midst of a drought or just trying to shave costs off your water bill, you'll enjoy Orbit's Mechanical Watering Timer water-saving properties. It attaches directly to your hose bib and can be programmed to switch off the water to the sprinkler once your lawn has had enough. This easy set-it-and-forget-it add-on will help you stop overwatering and start saving—all while maintaining a prize-worthy lawn. Available on Amazon; $13.99.

Related: 8 Smart Ways to Put Your Garden on Autopilot

Experts are right to point out that portable air conditioners often fail to match the performance of cheaper-to-buy window units. But in many instances, a portable AC may be your only option—say, in a basement lacking full-size windows. Plus, while even the lightest window units are a hassle to move, portable air conditioners are easy to wheel between rooms. So if you wanted air conditioning in three separate rooms but didn't want to outfit each with its own window AC, a portable unit like the Haier HPN12XCM would offer a smart compromise. Available at Amazon; $445.

Related: Stay Cool with These Best-Rated Window Air Conditioners

To slash water and electric bills in one fell swoop, bring home a more efficient showerhead. Those marked with an EPA-approved WaterSense label are designed to outperform older models and can save an average family nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year. And because there's less water pumping through the showerhead, there's less work for your water heater to do, which translates to additional savings. WaterSense labeled showerheads come in many different styles, at many different price points. Available on HomeDepot.com; $36.33.

Related: 14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill

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