‹ Back to Light Flashes

Don’t think of your electric bill as a lump of coal this holiday season. The holidays can be the most  expensive time of year for many. House guests, colder weather, longer nights, and extra décor can lead to more electricity use and higher bills. One way to ease the financial burden of this most wonderful time of year is by implementing energy efficiency measures.

If you happen to be hosting family or friends, your household could be consuming more electricity than normal. Think about installing a programmable thermostat and using it. Consider a setting of 68 degrees for heating or 78 for cooling when you and your family are home and dial the temperature back a few degrees when you leave or are sleeping. You might also consider lowering the thermostat when guests are over or when you’re cooking food.

Limit peeking into the oven when cooking holiday meals or treats. The urge to open the oven door to check the progress of dishes is tempting but use the oven light instead. Each time the door is opened the temperature inside your oven can be reduced by as much as 25 degrees, according to the Department of Energy. Consider alternative cooking methods like slow cookers, microwaves, toaster ovens or warming plates, which all utilize less energy than the oven or stovetop. According to the Department of Energy, a toaster oven can use up to half of the energy of the average stove over the same cooking time. The type of pots and pans you use to cook with can also make an impact on cook times and reduce the amount of heat needed for baking. Consider using ceramic, stoneware or glass pots and pans – this can help reduce the temperatures suggested for cooking by up to 25 degrees. You might also want to consider letting hot food cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. This prevents the temperature from increasing inside your fridge which can cause the appliance to use more energy to cool down.

Use LED lights for decorating this season. They use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and they last a lot longer, too. LEDs are also safer because they are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, making them more resistant to breaking – and cool to the touch. These lights can also be easier to install since up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket.

Use a timer for lighting. Outdoor lights and decorative displays are frequently left on accidentally. Leaving them on all day long can quickly run up an electric bill. Most timers cost between $10 and $25 and can be purchased through online retailers like Amazon or at big box stores like Lowes or Wal-Mart. With a light timer, you can easily program when you want your holiday lights turned on and off, which will save you time, money, and energy. If you’re using a timer for exterior lighting, make sure it’s weatherproof and intended for outdoor use.

Consider downsizing lawn décor. This can do wonders for your utility bills. Try alternating which decorations you use each year. That way, every Christmas, decorations look brand new. You might also want to consider a more natural approach to decorating this year. Many Christmas tree farms, and even some retailers, like Lowes, give away greenery and clippings from recently trimmed trees. With a little effort and some items like twine, ribbon, and ornaments, you can create garlands and wreaths to hang on your doors and windows. To add some extra twinkle at night, install solar-powered spotlights.

No matter how you decide to decorate, there are plenty of ways to save throughout the season. Start by considering some of the efficiency measures mentioned here. That way your holiday utility bills won’t seem like a lump of coal left in your stocking.