Preventing Huge Holiday Electric Bills

It’s that time of year again. The holiday season is upon us. With Thanksgiving already in the shadows many people either have already or will soon set up their Christmas or other holiday decorations. Decorations are a great way to get into the season and spread cheer but they can also be a great way to increase electric bills. As Christmas trees and decorative lighting get plugged in electric bills go up. The exact amount the bills will increase depends on the lighting being used and how the lighting gets used. Being aware of this extra use can help prevent a budget busting bill in a season that is already known for breaking the budget. The question becomes how do energy efficiency aware professionals plan to manage their electricity this Christmas season?

In an attempt to keep electric bills low many users will substitute a lamp or a light for a Christmas tree. While the lighting may not be as bright the mood is definitely more seasonal. The question then becomes how does my Christmas tree compare to a regular lamp? How much extra am I using? The answer to that question, as you may know, varies on multiple items. Are the bulbs on your Christmas tree standard or LED, as energy professionals they should be LED, right? How many strands of lights does your tree have? Another item coming into play in terms of electricity bills are fireplaces. Acquiring firewood is not the only expense accompanied with a fireplace as we all know; an opened flue can equal the same amount of heat loss as an open window. Having a fire in the fireplace, with the Christmas tree lit up and Christmas music playing may create a great mood now, but what type of mood will it create when the bill arrives? It may leave you feeling more like Scrooge than Saint Nick. Regardless of how much knowledge concerning energy efficiency you have everyone occasionally forgets something, and the flue may become that item, especially after a little eggnog.

Changing your Christmas lights to LED, if you haven't already, making sure the flue is closed after each fire and only playing Christmas tunes when someone is around to listen, and not just as background music 24/7, may greatly reduce your electric bill. Another item to consider is Christmas light rationing. Some lights get left on 24/7, having them on a switch or in an area that can be turned off easily can make a huge difference. Becoming aware of how much energy your Christmas decorations are using with an energy monitor can supply the extra incentive to make sure the lights are turned off, the music is not always playing and the flue gets shut. The holidays come around only once a year and as a result they often get forgotten when it comes to thinking of home performance. As home energy professionals make sure you are using as little energy as possible this holiday season.

Silas Inman
Forward Energy Solutions, Inc.
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