10 Ways to Save Energy this Christmas!
Holiday decorations are not cheap to run. Your electric bill sky rockets and wouldn't we all rather put that money towards our holiday dinners, parties and even some presents? Here are ten, super easy ways to cut back on your energy costs this holiday season.
1. Use LED battery or solar operated candles to decorate. These provide lighting and don't use any electricity.
2. Use LED lights on your tree, in your garland and even outside. LED lights use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights.
3. Have a crowd? Turn your heater down a few degrees. More bodies generate more heat.
4. Swap traditional sheets and blankets for fleece sheets and heavier blankets and then you can keep your thermostat down at night too. Your body is super-efficient and will generate its own heat under the blankets.
5. Put timers on your Christmas lights. Use a timer to make sure your lights go on at dusk and off at dawn. Or even on at dusk and off when you go to bed.
6. Are you planning on buying electronics? Buy Energy Star electronics and appliances, these devices use up to 60% less energy than non-Energy Star Certified electronics.
7. Walk- many people tend to do more driving during the holidays for shopping and running errands. Bundling up and walking can save a lot of gas. Walk around your neighborhood looking at your neighbors Christmas lights for an inexpensive family outing.
8. Cooking a turkey or ham? No need to preheat your oven as these are long and slow cooking.
9. When you are cooking your big holiday dinners, turn your central heat off and your fan on. This will help circulate the heat from the kitchen throughout the house and give your HVAC unit and your wallet a break. It will make your house smell great too!
10. Cook multiple dishes in the oven at the same - just make sure there is enough room for heat to circulate.
Bonus:
Are you buying gifts that require batteries? Get rechargeable batteries.
