The holidays are expensive enough without having to pay sky high electric bills. But how can you save energy, and money, during the holiday season? Here are the top 5 tips for energy efficient indoor holiday decorating.
Light Up that Tree with Eco-Friendly Bulbs and Save Some Dough
If you aren’t using LED lights on your Christmas tree, you are missing out on one of the best ways of saving energy during the Christmas season. LED lights consume 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights, which can send your electric bill soaring by 10 to 15 percent. LED Christmas lights are available in every color. They are shatterproof, shock resistant, cool to the touch and can withstand many decades of use.
Change Your Bulbs
Although you may love the look of those large colorful Christmas lights, they are certainly costing you more money than smaller bulbs. Make the switch to miniature or lower wattage bulbs and save energy and money. Miniature Christmas lights use 70 percent less energy than larger bulbs. They are also longer lasting. If you just can’t give up your large Christmas bulbs, consider toning down the wattage. Switching from a 7 watt bulb to a 5 watt bulb can save you as much as 30 percent on your energy bill.
Non-Electric Decorations Make Saving Energy a Breeze
Who says you have to decorate with lights? Consider forgoing the electric decorations this holiday season for non-electric decorations such as wreaths, garlands, stockings and tinsel. Decorate your Christmas tree with non-electric ornaments or battery powered candles. Warning: Never use real candles on a Christmas tree. They can easily ignite the tree and are a fire hazard.
Decorate with Energy Efficient Fiber Optic Decorations
Fiber optic Christmas decorations are vastly underappreciated. True, some can be tacky, but there are also many beautiful fiber optic Christmas trees, wreaths and decorations on the market. Fiber optic decorations contain a light source which lights up a series of long, thin clear fibers. The fibers contain a reflective coating causing light to pass along the length of the fiber and out of the end of the fiber. Fiber optic decorations are more energy efficient than traditional Christmas lights.
Time Your Christmas Lights to Save Energy
Putting your Christmas lights on a timer is a great way of saving energy. A timer helps avoid lights staying on when you are not home, during the day or all night if you forget to turn them off.
Sources
California Energy Commission
24-7 Press Release
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