HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY ENERGY EFFICIENT CHRISTMAS

There are numerous things that can make your energy bill triple over the Holiday months and it isn’t just the cold weather. With the technology and electronics being used in the world today, there are various ways we can contribute to that increase in our utility bills this time of year. We adecided to share with you some tips and tricks on how to save and cut holiday energy costs.

Christmas Lights!  Before you untangle those traditional bulbs, consider LED lighting or Rope Lights. Not only do LED lights longer lasting, but they use less energy. You could reap up to 70-90% energy savings.  Plus, they look great on trees and outdoor displays. Another option would be rope lights. Typically, rope lights use miniature incandescent bulbs spaced apart in a flexible plastic tubing. There are LED Rope lights on the market but if you can’t find them, the standard ropes work great too. They only consume about .5 watts of electricity per foot and can last more than 20,000 hours.

Time your lighting. Whatever lights you use, leaving them on all day or after you go to sleep runs up your electric bill. 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.

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This has the bonus of making it appear that you are home when you go away for the evening.

Thinking about getting a new Christmas tree?

Save energy with a fiber optic tree. These trees use a single bulb to transmit electricity along tiny fibers throughout the branches. The fibers light up the entire tree, often in alternating colors, and stay cool to the touch. With only one 5-20 watt bulb consuming energy on your tree, you are saving money and eliminating the task of hanging and removing lights.

Candles are a great electric-free option that can be used in outdoor settings as well.  Even with shorter daylight hours, solar-powered luminaries, strings, and ornaments can soak up enough sunlight to illuminate your yard or tree for plenty of enjoyment. If you just can’t give up tree lights, cut down the amount by decorating with shiny ornaments, garland or tinsel that reflect light and add brilliance. Turn off overhead lighting when your tree is on, and the soft glow will still provide enough light to navigate the room.

Even if you are competing to have the best neighborhood Christmas lights, it doesn’t mean you should have to face the worst electric bill. Keep energy efficiency in mind during the holidays, and put a little extra holiday cash in your pocket!