Black & Decker invented the first portable electric drill in 1917, and the company is still ahead of the curve. It's introduced three smart gizmos to lighten homeowners' impact on Mother Earth — and save them a few bucks along the way.

The Lights Out AutoSwitch is a motion detector and timer combined into a sleek unit that fits over a light switch. Walk into a room, the lights go on; walk out and the lights turn off in a specified number of minutes. ($30)

The Power Monitor has a sensor that hooks up to the electric meter outside the home and wirelessly transmits the usage data to a handheld display. The unit shows how much juice is being drawn and how much it costs. You can then change your energy use to minimize expenditures. ($100)

The Thermal Leak Detector is a handheld device that contains infrared sensors to find hot or cold spots. See where you're heating (or cooling) the great outdoors. ... So you'll know where to caulk. ($40)

Questions can be sent to Jim Parks at jrparks@mac.com. To find out more about Jim Parks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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