The PUD’s (Generally) Energy-Related Gift-Giving Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

The holiday season is upon us as, somehow, 2023 already comes to a close. But before it does, you might be in the market for cool gifts for friends and loved ones. Because we at the PUD love to play Santa, we found cool energy-related gifts (along with a couple of safety and environmentally-themed options) for those hard-to-shop for people on your list – and maybe even yourself!

Google Nest Thermostat (charcoal or snow), PUD Marketplace: $129.99 (BUT, as low as $54.99 with the PUD’s instant rebates at marketplace.snopud.com)

What better gift this holiday season than the gift of control? This fantastic deal on the Google Nest Thermostat, courtesy of the PUD Marketplace, can help save energy and decrease your monthly bill. This gadget turns the temperature down to save energy when you leave the house and is controllable from anywhere with the Google Home app. The PUD Marketplace currently offers instant rebates of $50 to $75 on every smart thermostat in stock for all customers at the PUD (some restrictions apply)!

Color-changing LED Light bulb, PUD Marketplace: $15

Get the party started with this Wi-Fi-enabled, general-purpose LED bulb. These 65-watt bulbs are ENERGY STAR certified and provide up to 80% in energy savings. Also controllable with an app, the bulbs provide limitless (and customizable) color options and last up to 25,000 hours.

TIDEWE Heated Vest, Amazon: Starts at $79.99

Another device to help keep you warm this winter, this vest by TIDEWE was voted as the “Best Value Heated Vest” by Good Housekeeping. The lightweight polyester material provides a water-resistant shell and is machine washable. The rechargeable battery pack can last up to 10 hours and is easily accessible if you need to turn up the heat – or use it to charge another portable device.

Basic 3-Day Emergency Preparedness Kit, Red Cross: $98.99

Unfortunately, stuff happens. This kit is the perfect preparation for natural disasters such as an earthquake or severe weather. It contains basic supplies for one person for up to three days (so stock up for the whole family), including food, water, a crank-powered flashlight/radio/cell phone charger, multi-tool, first-aid kit and other survival supplies in a lightweight backpack with extra room for personal items.

Ridwell Recycling Gift Card, Ridwell: Gift Cards starting at $50

Reduce, reuse, recycle! This local company provides a pick-up service every two weeks for many hard-to-recycle items including batteries, light bulbs, plastic film, clothing and other items that can be reused or repurposed by local partners. Specialty items also include electronics, corks and even Halloween candy! Ridwell is available to a large part of Snohomish County with plans starting at $14 per month. (And you can get 10% off a membership with this special PUD Holiday offer!)

RadRover 6 Plus Electric Bike, Rad Power Bikes: $2,099 (But look for continued holiday deals throughout the month!)

If an electric vehicle is a little out of your price range, consider an electric bike for getting around. There are a variety of EBs out there, including Rad Power Bike’s RadRover 6, one of the top-rated electric bikes by Bicycling.com. The RadRover’s fat tires make it comfortable to ride on city streets or mountain trails. It gets up to 45 miles per charge, can carry up to 275 pounds and can cruise around town at speeds up to 20 miles per hour.

EGO POWER+ Nexus 2000-Watt Portable Power Station, Lowe’s: $1,499

The holiday season does coincide with storm season here in the Pacific Northwest, so if you want to ensure the Christmas lights – and everything else – stays on, a generator might not be a bad way to go. There are numerous options, including battery-powered alternatives to gas generators that deliver clean, quiet, portable power, while being safe to use indoors (unlike gas-powered generators). The EGO POWER+ has three 120V A/C Outlets, four USB ports and can run up to 2,000 Watts continuously.

Donation to Project PRIDE, snopud.com/projectpride: However much you’d like

The holiday season is a perfect time to reach out and help others in need. Project PRIDE is a program we have here at the PUD that provides one-time grants for families and individuals who need help paying their energy bills. Established in 1982, Project PRIDE stands for Providing Relief for Individuals Dependent on Energy and has paid out over $3 million since then to help local people in need. It is primarily funded by contributions from PUD customers.

Zippo Rechargeable Hand Warmer and Power Bank, Amazon: $37.43

Technology has led us to the hand warmer 2.0! This portable, rechargeable hand warmer has dual-sided heat up to 120 degrees with six adjustable heat settings to find the comfortable level of warmth for the occasion. Along with reducing waste from individually wrapped packs, it also charges USB compatible devices including mobile phones, tablets, cameras and other gadgets. It has battery and heat indicator lights and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 9 hours of run time.

Install a new heat pump – more information at Heating Rebates – Snohomish County PUD (snopud.com)

Admittedly, this may be a bit over-the-top, but what better way to show someone you love them than with a newly installed heat pump? Compared to other common heating methods (like furnaces and baseboard heaters), heat pumps can offer energy savings of 25-50% annually. And there’s never been a better time to consider switching! The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits of up to 30% on the total cost of buying and installing a new heat pump up to $2,000. In addition, the PUD offers rebates of up to $2,500 for qualified heat pumps installed by a PUD-registered contractor. For more information, and to see a list of approved contractors, visit www.snopud.com or call our Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700.

All the best to you and your loved ones this holiday season from the Snohomish County PUD!