Get All Access for $5/mo

CES 2012: Go Green With These Money-Saving Gadgets A round-up of new tools that can help your business save a few extra dollars.

By John Patrick Pullen

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

LAS VEGAS -- Every year at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), gadgets make headlines by getting thinner, faster and more powerful than previous models. But more important for small businesses are ones that can save money and energy.

Direct from the floor of the annual electronics extravaganza, here's a look at five new devices that can help you save the planet as well as your bottom line.

The 60-watt World Bulb LED from Lighting Science Group
The 60-watt World Bulb LED from Lighting Science Group

1. An LED light bulb that won't break the bank: LEDs have been the brightest hope in re-inventing the light bulb, but high prices have made them a costly option -- especially to outfit an entire office. Satellite Beach, Fla.-based Lighting Science Group is looking to change that with their 60-watt World Bulb that saves you money twice.

First, at a suggested retail price below $15, it might be the most inexpensive bulb of its kind to date. Second, it uses 85 percent less electricity than a standard bulb. And since Lighting Science Group says the World Bulb is projected to last 17 years, it might be a worthwhile long-term investment.

The Bracketron Stone GreenZERO Charger
The Bracketron Stone GreenZERO Charger

2. Charging devices, not wasting electricity: When juicing up a portable device, typical wall-chargers continue to draw electrical current, even after the gadget's battery is full. The Bracketron Stone GreenZERO Charger automatically shuts off after the device is powered up, saving money on your energy bill.

Since most USB chargers cost around $25 anyway, (this one rings in at $24.95) getting one that powers your portables more inexpensively is a bonus.

The Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat

3. Cool off your electric bill: The Nest Learning Thermostat is more than a sleek-looking and functional replacement for your old-school thermostat. After the first week of use, this thermostat sets a schedule based on your preferences.

For instance, auto-away features allow it to drop the temperature when no one is in the office. The thermostat can also connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, allowing you to set the temperature no matter where you are. With heating costs soaring into the thousands per year, this is one $250 upgrade that may pay off quickly.

Related: CES 2012: A Preview for Small Business

The GE Green Mobile Power Station
The GE Green Mobile Power Station

4. A smart way to manage power: Part USB hub, part power strip, part surge protector, the GE Green Mobile Power Station is masterful at managing power to a range of devices, from computers and monitors, to peripherals and desk lamps.

Using a lithium-ion battery to bolster charges, the mobile power station manages power to charging devices, and shuts off sockets after gadgets are juiced up. And even though the $119 device is energy efficient, it's still powerful enough to run printers, faxes, and servers.

The SolarKindle Lighted Cover
The SolarKindle Lighted Cover

5. Cutting the cord on Kindle charging: The SolarKindle Lighted Cover is a clever cover for the Amazon Kindle that not only charges the reader using solar power, but also illuminates the device with an LED light. At $79, it charges in eight hours of direct sunlight and provides backup power to the Kindle. And because you're using solar power to keep your Kindle charged, you can focus on keeping your company's books current, not whether your e-reader needs more electrical current.

Based in Portland, Ore., John Patrick Pullen covers travel, business and tech for Men's Journal, Fortune and others.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business News

'I'm Shocked': Costco Customers Are Freaking Out About a Change to a Beloved Bakery Item

Costco customers are feeling burnt by a not-so-sweet switcheroo in the bakery department.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.