Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are extensively employed in various sectors, encompassing both military and civilian applications. Their ability to collect, monitor, and transmit environmental data to centralized systems for analysis and informed decision-making makes them invaluable across numerous industries. From tracking weather patterns and reducing pollution to monitoring vehicle activity and streamlining industrial processes, these networks demonstrate exceptional efficiency and adaptability. However, a key challenge in their deployment is extending the operational lifespan of WSNs, as they are often constrained by limited and non-replaceable energy resources. Hierarchical routing techniques are commonly employed to tackle this issue, as they help to optimize energy consumption and extend network longevity. Specifically, the E-LEACH and RN-LEACH protocols have been designed to enhance energy efficiency in WSNs. This study introduces and evaluates advanced hierarchical routing approaches, named NRF-E-LEACH and NRF-RN-LEACH, which build on the E-LEACH and RN-LEACH protocols to achieve further improvements in performance.