Holiday Energy Saving Tips

There are many things that can make your energy bill skyrocket in the month of December and it isn’t just the cold outside. With all the electronics we use, the lights on the tree and the house, and the use of more lamps since it gets darker earlier, there are so many ways that we contribute to the higher bill during the holidays. Here are some tips on how to cut holiday energy costs.

Holiday Energy Saving Tips

Use LED Lights on your tree. Not only are LED lights longer lasting, but they use less energy to use. Plus, they look great on trees and outdoor displays. Take note that although LED lights might cost more than traditional lights, the amount you save on energy will more than make up for it.

Time your lighting. For most people, lighting after night falls until you go to bed is more than enough to enjoy the season. If you have a hard time remembering to shut off or turn on your lights, invest in a timer that will do it for you. You can choose the time your lights come on and how long you want them to stay on. This has the added bonus of making it appear that you are home when you go away for the evening or on break as well.

Skip items that need to be plugged in. Of course you can’t do this with lights, but many decorations that light up or animate can be battery powered and in the end this might be the cheaper route. Investing in a battery charger and rechargeable batteries can really cut costs through the year as well. I bought some last year that I am still able to charge and get use out of.

Don’t light your tree day and night. You can really only see the beautiful lights on it when it is darker out, so don’t feel the need to keep it lit all the time, especially when you are not home or you are in bed. Now only is this a huge money waster as far as your electrical bill, but it can also be a fire hazard.

Run less room lighting when you have your tree on display. If you think about it, your tree can serve as a lamp on it’s own since it does a pretty good job of adding light to a room.

Set your heat on a timer if you will be leaving for the holiday. Part of lowering holiday energy costs is making sure not to use heat or electricity resources if you won’t be home. Don’t leave your heat off, of course, or you could come back to frozen or burst pipes, but make sure to not leave it running at full power or too high while you are not home.

Skip a large display at home to begin with. If the cost of running your own display is just too much, bundle up and go walk through your local neighborhoods or downtown area and look at displays and lights. Let someone else foot the bill!

What are some ways that you cut costs on your energy bill during the holiday season? I would love to hear your tips in the comments!