The holiday season can be a busy time of year with decorating, shopping, cooking and get-togethers. Our team of energy experts put together a list of tips that will help you enjoy a more energy-efficient and joyful holiday season.
Holiday decorating & lighting tips
1. Deck the halls with LED Lights
o LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer. A single 7-watt incandescent holiday bulb consumes as much power as two 24-foot LED strings – enough to light a six-foot tree.
o You have options with LEDs from colors to brightness that aren’t limited to just traditional lights. Switch your icicle lights, walkway trees, snowmen, reindeer and more to brighten your holiday décor without breaking the bank.
o Bonus Tip: Take advantage of manufacturer rebates on qualified LED holiday lights to save on your energy bill and on each string of lights!
2. Single-click money savers
o Plug decorations into a power strip – this makes it convenient to turn them all off at once before bedtime, boosting energy savings.
o Set timers for your holiday displays to turn off automatically – there is no need to burn the lights all night long.
3. Go solar
o Consider changing out driveway lighting with solar-powered lights to make your home a festive and energy-efficient oasis.
4. Go energy-free
o Supplement your holiday displays with ornaments such as wreaths, ribbons and other decorations that don't consume energy.
Energy-efficient gift giving
Let the star be your guide
- Look for ENERGY STAR-labeled electronics or appliances. Newer ENERGY STAR models meet stricter requirements and use anywhere from 10 to 50 percent less energy each year. ENERGY STAR-rated items include laptops, solar-powered lights or battery chargers, MP3 players, battery-powered tools and more – all great for gift giving!
- Plus, Energy Star-labeled computers use 30-65% less energy than those without this designation.
Avoid the energy phantoms
- Consolidate plugs by using power strips and switching them off when not in use. This will help reduce phantom loads and can help save up to $100 a year.
- Many electronics continue to draw power even when they appear to be "off." These phantom energy users can account for up to 5-10% of monthly residential electricity use.
Cook up some energy savings while you host
- Consider using small appliances where possible like a microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer. These use about one-third the power.
- Maximize the time using your oven. If you are going to use your oven, cook multiple dishes simultaneously to make the most of your oven's heat. For example, a pie can go into the oven at the same time as a main dish. Don’t miss out on an outdoor grill opportunity when the weather is nice.
- Use the oven's stored heat for warming foods, plates and platters after baking, this requires no energy. If the food must be kept warm for an extended period of time, set the oven no higher than 140° to 200°.
- Use the oven window to check progress. Resist the urge to open the oven door to check on progress. Each time the door is opened, the temperature drops 25° to 50°.
