The Toy Box Go Electric

First off, let’s cover any initial concerns. Robotic mowers are great at knowing the difference between your grass and your neighbor’s rosebushes.

Here’s how: computers. All of them, all at once. Gone are the days of guide wires, replaced in today’s top-of-the-line mowers with a mixture of GPS, AI, cameras and lasers—yes, lasers. Together, these technologies create an overlapping symphony of signals as mathematically beautiful as it is brutal to Bermuda grass.

That’s what makes robot lawn mowers so special: sheer grass-cutting power. With no human operator hovering nearby, autonomous units can cut lower and move faster than their hand-push counterparts. They pack more blades than a Canadian hockey team, with some models sporting as many as eight blades cutting simultaneously. That bluegrass never had a chance.

We are in no way asking you to grill steaks or tailgate without an actual grill. Far from it. Instead, look at your portable induction cooktop as the high-performance athlete of the kitchen—fast, precise and ready to dominate the home game. Induction cooktops transfer heat directly to the cookware, minimizing wasted energy and getting the cooking done faster, giving you the cooking power of a closer with a 100-mph fastball. It also lowers greenhouse gas emissions tied to cooking.

Having that extra burner on tap in the backyard or at your tailgate is a total cheat code when the main grill is occupied; it’s the perfect high-performance specialist for searing steaks with hushed intensity or simmering a pot of Old Bay butter for a massive bushel of crabs. It’s a savvy, budget-friendly way to act as an energy boss, keeping your sanctuary cool while you grill out like a pro.

America’s first electric car was introduced in 1891. No, really. Good news: They’ve come a long way since then, with panoramic glass canopies, dual-motor all-wheel-drive power trains and legroom for days. (Hey, not having a gigantic combustion engine helps.)

It’s true: Today’s electric vehicles are a whole new ballgame. They’re as big on cargo space as they are on regenerative braking, often including front-trunks, or “frunks.” (Again: no giant engine.) Some of today’s top models even get 500+ miles to the charge. Better build a longer playlist.

With thousands of charging stations throughout Maryland, that’s a range you’ll rarely have to test. And unlike our friends in New Jersey, there’s no pressure to tip at the pump … but feel free to slip yourself a few bucks anyways.

It’s sad, but true: Water heaters use about 18% of your home’s energy.¹ That’s more than your fridge, washer, dryer and dishwasher combined²—something we would not recommend. Things would get messy. Now, if these numbers shock you, consider the new and innovative electric heat pump water heater.

It uses a small amount of electricity to transfer heat from the air around your tank straight into the water, a process as efficient as it is high tech. They’re so cool, the U.S. Department of Energy officially classifies them as not just efficient but super efficient. If that doesn’t warrant inclusion in The Efficient Home magazine, what does?

ENERGY STAR^® certified models can save a household of four approximately $550 a year compared to traditional models, which adds up to over $5,600 over the life of the unit. Don’t feel like waiting for the savings? You can get up to $1,600 back on one through these rebates from BGE through EmPOWER Maryland—and even more when switching from natural gas, propane or oil to electric.

¹Source: energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating

²Source: energystar.gov/products/energy_star_home_upgrade/super_efficient_water_heater