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Simple Energy Saving Tips for the Holiday Season
Between cooking larger meals, hosting extra
guests and decorating with lights,
it’s not
uncommon to use more energy during the holidays than any other time of the year.
The
good news is that with a few adjustments, you can conserve energy and keep your
utility bills lower than years past.
Consider
these simple tips for using energy more efficiently this holiday season:
Decorate
with candles
Lighting candles in place of electricity to illuminate a room
is an easy way to cut energy costs while creating a warm holiday ambience in
your family gathering areas.
Use LED lights
Compared to incandescent lights, energy-efficient LED lights
consume up to 90 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
They’re a great investment and easily pay for themselves in money saved on
utility bills.
Turn down
the heat
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If you will be hosting a large holiday gathering, turn your
thermostat down by a few degrees to keep guests comfortable and your heating
bill in check. A programmable thermostat can also be helpful for overnight or
when you are at work for the day—lowering the heat while you’re away and
warming it back up again when you wake up or return home. You can save up to 2%
for every degree you lower your thermostat.
Smart cooking
Much of your rising energy costs can be blamed on cooking during
the holidays. To cut down on extra power used, do all of your holiday food
preparation in a single day. Keep the number of times you open your
refrigerator door to a minimum, and use your microwave in place of the oven
whenever possible. All of these small changes in your holiday baking regimen can
make a big difference in your energy bill.
Turn off the
lights
Don’t leave your decorative lights on if you’re going to bed or
not at home to enjoy them. Turn your lights
off when you leave your house, and set timers so the lights will shut off
automatically before bedtime to conserve.
As a general rule, limit light displays to evening hours.
This season,
give yourself the gift of a low energy bill. By following these basic tips, you
can reduce your energy use and save your wallet without sacrificing any of that
holiday cheer.